Recycled from what? Destined for what?
The two questions behind a recycled-content claim.
Reviewed 2026-09-22. Open in the interactive atlas.
Identify the input
Factory offcuts and worn garments are different waste streams. Bottle-derived polyester is another. Recycled content describes an input to the current product; it does not automatically establish a route for its next life.
Distinguish recovery methods
Mechanical opening can shorten textile fibers. Polymer recycling follows a different path and has its own feedstock constraints. Color, contamination, blends and finishes affect both approaches.
Read the percentage
A product may contain both recovered and virgin material. Look for a composition statement, the recycled fraction and evidence that applies to the specific product.
Plan for the next owner
Repair, resale and continued use can keep a useful textile in service. A take-back program is meaningful when its actual sorting and downstream outlets are explained.
Sources & further reading
- Textile Exchange: Materials Market Report 2025
2024 global production data, published September 2025. This is a dated snapshot, not a live counter.
- Textile Exchange: Material standards
Official entry point for scope, claims and current versions of material standards.