Less than 1% of textiles are recycled, and that’s because recycling is neither easy nor cheap. The fashion industry still relies heavily on synthetic fabrics; and as a result, most of these textiles end up in landfills or are incinerated, continuing to pollute the environment.
Even though synthetic fibers are harder to recycle than natural fibers, they can still offer a potentially better alternative. But how sustainable are recycled synthetics? Are they truly eco-friendly, or just greenwashing?
1. Polyester
Recycled polyester, most often made from PET—the same plastic found in water bottles—promises a greener alternative under labels like rPET, Repreve®, or Coolmax® Eco. On paper, it’s true: producing recycled polyester uses less petroleum and has a smaller carbon footprint than virgin polyester. But the reality is more complicated. Its production still relies on fossil-fuel-based chemicals, keeping it tied to non-renewable resources.
The issues don’t stop there. Recycled polyester sheds microplastics with every wash, contributing to ocean pollution. Its fibers trap odors and stains, making garments increasingly unwearable over time. Even when these textiles are “recycled,” many still end up in landfills or incinerators, perpetuating the cycle of waste.
Conclusion: Greenwashing
2. Nylon
Recycled nylon often appears under names like ECONYL®, Q-NOVA®, or Amni Soul Eco®. Take ECONYL, for example: it’s made from recovered waste, including discarded fishing nets, industrial plastics, and other debris collected from oceans and landfills.
Recycled nylon offers clear environmental benefits. Its production generates lower CO₂ emissions because it avoids the energy-intensive extraction of virgin fossil fuels. Existing waste is chemically regenerated into new nylon fibers, and the material can be regenerated multiple times without losing quality, making it one of the few synthetic fibers that truly fits into a circular system.
Conclusion: Green
3. Elastane
Recycled Elastane is commonly blended with other fibers to provide stretch and shape retention. Recycled versions include ROICA™ Eco-Smart, Creora Regen, and Lycra® EcoMade.
Elastane’s elasticity makes it similar to rubber, but unlike natural rubber (derived from trees), it is made from polyurethane and will not biodegrade. Even when recycled, elastane is extremely difficult to process, especially since it is almost always blended with other fibers. Over time, its elastic properties degrade, meaning garments lose their stretch and recycling becomes largely ineffective.
Conclusion: Greenwashing
4. Viscose
Viscose is made from wood pulp, and recycled or lower-impact versions include EcoVero™, Circulose®, and TENCEL™ Lyocell. Traditional production requires highly toxic chemicals, which can harm workers and ecosystems.
Recycled viscose is produced in closed-loop systems that recover and reuse solvents instead of releasing them into the environment. When the original viscose comes from FSC-certified forests, recycled viscose is a strong alternative and, under the right conditions, biodegradable.
Conclusion: Green
Our Belief: Nature First
Natural fabrics, on the other hand, remain a precious gem. Sourced directly from nature, they are inherently organic, free from chemical treatments and synthetic additives.
At Odd Orchid, we believe a wardrobe should be timeless, not disposable. That is why we carefully source high-quality, sustainable fabrics, crafting garments designed to endure—pieces made to be worn, cherished, and passed on. Fashion, to us, is not about constant renewal through production, but about longevity through intention.
