What is recycled cotton?

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Cotton is the most widely used natural fiber in the world for the manufacture of textiles, but its cultivation requires a lot of resources and is beginning to take a heavy toll on the ecology. In this article, we will look at the advantages and disadvantages of recycled cotton, which seems to be the ideal replacement solution.

• What's recycled cotton ?

Cotton is a plant fiber that is used to make many things such as:

Textiles (clothing, linen and furniture)

Banknotes

Hygiene products (cotton buds, makeup remover pads, etc.)

Reusable bags and packaging

The medical world thanks to its sterility (compresses, dressings, etc.).

But the need for large quantities of this natural fiber has a bad environmental impact on our planet, because cotton cultivation requires a significant amount of water and the intensive use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, therefore polluting the land.

In order to compensate for the negative impact of cotton cultivation on our environment, recycled cotton has become a much more attractive option thanks to its environmental and economic advantages.

Recycled cotton is a form of cotton that is made from already existing cotton textiles, such as used clothing, sheets, towels, and other end-of-life cotton items.

Rather than producing cotton from virgin fibers (i.e. new cotton crops), recycled cotton involves collecting, sorting, shredding and processing used cotton textiles to extract the cotton fibers . These fibers are then used to create new recycled cotton products.

How is made recycled cotton ?

The recycled cotton manufacturing process generally includes the following steps:

1. Collection: Used cotton textiles are collected from consumers or textile industries.

2. Sorting: Collected textiles are sorted to separate cotton from other materials such as polyester or fiber blends.

3. Shredding: Cotton textiles are shredded into small pieces for easy further processing.

4. Cleaning: The cotton pieces are cleaned to remove impurities, buttons, zippers and other unwanted materials.

5. Carding and spinning: Clean cotton fibers are carded and spun to create recycled cotton yarn.

6. Weaving or knitting: Recycled cotton yarns are used to make new fabrics, which can then be made into clothing, home textiles or other recycled cotton products.

• Why choose recycled cotton ?

Recycled cotton has many environmental benefits, including reduced consumption of water, energy and natural resources compared to virgin cotton production. Additionally, it helps reduce the amount of textiles sent to landfills, reducing pressure on landfills.

Recycled cotton is increasingly used in the textile industry in response to growing demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly products. It offers a solution to extend the life of cotton textiles and reduce the environmental footprint of the fashion industry.

• The advantages and disadvantages of recycled cotton

The benefits of recycled cotton

Here are some reasons why recycled cotton has become an attractive option:

1. Reducing Textile Waste: The fashion industry is one of the largest sources of textile waste in the world. By recycling cotton, we can reduce the amount of textiles thrown into landfills.

2. Resource conservation: Conventional cotton production requires a large amount of water, pesticides and fertilizers. Recycling cotton reduces the demand for new cotton crops, helping to save these valuable resources.

3. Reduced carbon footprint: Conventional cotton production also has a significant impact on greenhouse gas emissions. By reusing existing cotton, we can reduce the carbon footprint associated with manufacturing new textiles.

4. Energy savings: The production of recycled cotton fibers generally requires less energy than the production of virgin fibers, which can reduce the overall energy consumption of the textile industry.

5. Growing Demand: Consumers are becoming more aware of environmental issues, which has driven demand for sustainable and recycled products, including recycled cotton.

6. Cheaper than conventional cotton, contrary to popular belief given that it is more ecological. This is why Towelmed offers its advertising fouta towel in recycled cotton, more economical and more ecological (G.R.S certified), visible on this link.

In summary, recycled cotton helps reduce the environmental impact of the textile industry while meeting growing consumer demand for sustainable products. This makes it an increasingly popular option for environmentally conscious businesses and consumers.

The disadvantages of recycled cotton

1. Energy and water required for recycling: Although the production of recycled cotton can save energy compared to the production of virgin cotton, the recycling process itself requires energy and water to cleaning, shredding and spinning.

2. Risks of decreased quality: Each time textiles are recycled, there is a risk of loss of fiber quality, which can limit the number of times cotton can be recycled before it becomes less suitable for use textile. In fact, the longer the cotton fiber, the better the quality of the finished product.

• How to know if a textile is made with recycled cotton?

The (GRS) Global Recycled Standard label certifies that a textile has been made from recycled fibers.

If a textile item bears the GRS certified cotton label, it is because it was made with recycled cotton.