When recycled cotton comes to the rescue of organic cotton.

Why is recycled cotton an eco-responsible solution for our wardrobe?

95,000 tons of textiles are thrown away each year in Quebec. We all feel a little guilty and would like to make better choices for the planet. Are you looking for eco-friendly solutions for your wardrobe? I'm going to tell you how recycled cotton is coming to the rescue of organic cotton in the fashion industry. By understanding the 3 types of cotton used in your clothes: conventional cotton, organic cotton and recycled cotton, you will be able to make better choices to reduce your ecological footprint. At the same time, you will participate in the circular economy :)

What is recycled cotton?

Recycled cotton is an eco-friendly fabric that comes from pre- or post-consumer products. It is part of the circular economy by providing an outlet for textile waste. This is why recycled cotton is one of the eco-friendly solutions for your wardrobe.

How is recycled cotton made?

The 100% cotton fabric is recovered, it is shredded and sorted by color. The result is a short fiber that must be mixed with other fibers, often cotton, sometimes polyester, in order to solidify it. Then it is possible to spin it to finally knit or weave a new fabric.

Why is recycled cotton an alternative to conventional cotton?

Cotton is by far the most popular natural fiber in the world and is largely used by the fashion industry.

Unfortunately, conventional cotton farming is the most polluting on the planet. It is estimated that it contaminates more than twenty million people per year. The intensive use of chemicals pollutes and impoverishes the soil, making it sterile in the long term. The successive treatments that cotton undergoes (in conventional production) are also done using very harmful products. Chlorine is used for bleaching and conventional dyes contain heavy metals.

Ideally, the fashion industry would only use organic cotton.

To be considered organic cotton, a product must be produced using a chemical-free production method. Organic cotton growers use working methods based on recycling natural organic materials, crop rotation, and respect for animal welfare. These methods aim to respect the balance of living organisms that inhabit the soil (bacteria, earthworms). The “organic cotton” label guarantees that the treatments undergone by the cotton after harvest are free of hazardous products.

Since the conventional cotton industry is far from converting to organic cotton, the best thing would be if these cotton garments could be recycled into new clothing when their lifespan is over. This would keep millions of tons of waste out of landfills. Most importantly, it would allow the fashion industry to use much less virgin materials, reducing the use of water, pesticides and dyeing chemicals.

Why wear recycled cotton clothes?

Although slightly rougher to the touch than organic cotton, recycled cotton knitwear softens with each wash and becomes softer and more comfortable to wear. Like all cotton, it is very durable. Its insulating properties keep us warm during the winter and cool during the beautiful summer days.

Whether in a MAE turtleneck, a MADISON tunic or a layering piece , recycled cotton knits are suitable for all occasions.

Finally, recycled cotton comes to the rescue of organic cotton to complete the outfits in your eco-responsible wardrobe and say goodbye to conventional cotton.