Recycled materials
Recycled content shows up across the catalogue. The product page lists the percentage; this article gives the context on what recycled means, what trade-offs it carries, and how we verify it.
Recycled polyester
Most of our hoodies and fleeces use a recycled polyester blend. Typical recycled content is 50 to 65 percent, sourced from post-consumer plastic bottles (PET).
- Why we use it. Lower carbon footprint than virgin polyester: about 70 percent less CO2 per kg of fibre.
- The trade-off. Recycled polyester sheds microfibres in the wash, same as virgin. Wash inside a Guppyfriend bag or similar to reduce microfibre release. We are testing a mesh-lining option for 2027.
- Certification. GRS (Global Recycled Standard) for everything labelled recycled. Licence numbers are on the product page.
Recycled cotton
For selected products, we stock a 30 to 50 percent recycled cotton blend, mixed with GOTS-certified organic virgin cotton.
- Why we use it. Lower water footprint than 100 percent virgin organic cotton.
- The trade-off. Recycled cotton has shorter fibres (the recycling process breaks them down). It is less durable than virgin organic cotton at the same gsm. We compensate with a tighter knit; the garment ages slightly faster than 100 percent organic.
- Certification. GRS for the recycled portion; GOTS for the virgin portion.
Recycled-content packaging
- Mailer bags: 100 percent recycled paper, FSC certified.
- Tape: kraft paper with rubber adhesive, no plastic.
- Tissue: recycled tissue, where used.
We have not used plastic polybags in the standard catalogue since 2025.
When recycled is not the best choice
Recycled is not always the lower-impact answer. Two cases where virgin organic cotton wins:
- Long-life heavyweight wear. A 240 gsm virgin organic tee lasts about 80 to 100 washes. A 240 gsm recycled-blend tee lasts about 50 to 70. The lifetime impact per wash is lower with virgin.
- Print durability. Recycled cotton holds DTG print slightly less well at the third or fourth year. For repeat-wear company swag, virgin organic is the better long-term choice.
We default to virgin organic on tees and hoodies for this reason, except on products explicitly labelled "recycled blend".
How to read the labels on the product page
- "GOTS organic": 95 to 100 percent organic cotton, GOTS certified.
- "GOTS organic / recycled blend": at least 70 percent organic, with a stated recycled percentage.
- "GRS recycled polyester": at least 50 percent recycled polyester, GRS certified.
- "OEKO-TEX printed": all inks pass OEKO-TEX Standard 100.
If a product page lacks one of those labels, the product is not certified. We say so directly.