What is pre-consumer recycled polyester?
Pre-consumer recycled polyester is a type of recycled polyester made from industrial waste generated before finished products are made. Unlike post-consumer recycled polyester, which is made from end-of-life products, pre-consumer recycled polyester is produced from waste generated during the production process, such as production offcuts or surplus raw materials.
This waste is collected, sorted, cleaned, melted and turned into recycled polyester pellets, which can be used to make new polyester products. Pre-consumer recycled polyester can replace virgin polyester in many products, including clothes, bags, shoes and rugs.
Is pre-consumer recycled polyester a sustainable option?
Pre-consumer recycled polyester is considered a more sustainable option than virgin polyester, as it reduces industrial waste and the consumption of raw materials. What's more, producing pre-consumer recycled polyester often requires less energy and emits fewer greenhouse gases than producing virgin polyester.
It's important to note that recycling polyester, whether pre-consumer or post-consumer, doesn't solve all the environmental problems linked to producing synthetic fibres. Producing recycled polyester can still have environmental impacts, particularly in terms of energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and waste production. That's why it's important to consider every option available to reduce the environmental impact of textile production, including using natural fibres and reducing the overall consumption of textile products.
