Synthetics

Recycled polyester is a fiber made using plastic waste, like water bottles and fabric scraps. It is a preferred alternative to conventional polyester because it helps divert plastic waste from landfills and reduce the environmental impact that comes from the oil extraction needed for new polyester. Polyester feedstock is often preferred over PET bottles due to its higher quality and consistency, better performance in products, efficient supply chain availability, and potential lower environmental impact. The plastics used to create recycled polyester can come from pre- or post-consumer recycled sources.

• Pre-Consumer Recycled Materials: These are materials diverted from waste streams during the manufacturing process. For example, leftover plastics from manufacturing facilities.      
• Post-Consumer Recycled Materials: These are materials generated by households or commercial and industrial facilities. When these products can no longer be used for their intended purpose and are recycled, they are then determined to be post-consumer.

REPREVE® recycled polyester from Unifi, Inc. is made from recycled plastic bottles, diverting them from waste streams and repurposing into recycled polyester. The plastic is broken down into resin, extruded into a fiber, and spun into polyester yarns.

REPREVE® recycled polyester uses both pre- or post-consumer recycled sources.

• Pre-Consumer Recycled Materials: These are materials diverted from waste streams during the manufacturing process. For example, leftover plastics from manufacturing facilities.       
• Post-Consumer Recycled Materials: These are materials generated by households or commercial and industrial facilities. When these products can no longer be used for their intended purpose and are recycled, they are then determined to be post-consumer.

REPREVE® Our Ocean® recycled polyester comes from plastic waste recovered from the oceans or coastal areas that experience high volumes of waste, but often lack formal waste or recycling systems. The plastic used in this type of recycled polyester is usually collected from the ocean or from areas within 50km of coastlines. This helps reduce plastic polluting our oceans.

Recycled nylon can be made from materials like fishing nets, carpet flooring, and industrial plastics that are melted down and spun into new recycled nylon fiber. Recycling nylon gives a second life to a material that would otherwise end up as waste.

Recycled nylon is a preferred alternative to conventional nylon because it helps to divert plastic waste from landfills and reduces the environmental impact that comes from the oil extraction needed for new nylon fiber.

The plastics used to create recycled nylon can come from pre- or post-consumer recycled sources.

• Pre-Consumer Recycled Materials: Materials diverted from waste streams during the manufacturing process, for example, leftover cutting scraps, faulty carpets, or fishing nets from manufacturing facilities.
• Post-Consumer Recycled Materials: Materials generated by households or commercial and industrial facilities, such as carpets, fishing nets and worn garments that are no longer used. When these products can no longer be used for their intended purpose and are recycled, they are then determined to be post-consumer.

Recycled polyurethane (PU) is as pure and equal quality as petroleum-based PU. It can be made with both pre-and post-consumer materials that are melted into new resin or shredded, ground and then blended with a bonding agent. Due to its wide application in many industries, recycled polyurethane can come from mattresses, the auto industry, and the construction sector.

Recycled polyurethane is a preferred alternative to conventional PU because it helps divert plastic waste from landfills and reduce environmental impact that comes from the oil extraction needed for new polyurethane.

The plastics used to create recycled polyurethane can come from pre- or post-consumer recycled sources.

• Pre-Consumer Recycled Materials: These are materials diverted from waste streams during the manufacturing process. For example, using leftover cutting scraps from manufacturing facilities.
• Post-Consumer Recycled Materials: Materials generated by households or commercial and industrial facilities. When these products can no longer be used for their intended purpose and are recycled, they are then determined to be post-consumer.

Recycled acrylic is a preferred alternative to conventional acrylic because it helps reduce resource depletion and environmental impact caused by oil extraction.

Recycled acrylic can be made with both pre-and post-consumer materials that are melted down and spun into new recycled acrylic fiber. This recycled acrylic gives a second life to a material that would otherwise end up in a landfill or the ocean.

The plastics used to create recycled acrylic can come from pre- or post-consumer recycled sources.

• Pre-Consumer Recycled Materials: These are materials diverted from waste streams during the manufacturing process. For example, using leftover cutting scraps from manufacturing facilities.
• Post-Consumer Recycled Materials: Materials generated by households or commercial and industrial facilities. When these products can no longer be used for their intended purpose and are recycled, they are then determined to be post-consumer.

Recycled Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR) is a versatile, environmentally preferred material created by repurposing waste TPR products. Thermoplastic rubber, known for its elasticity, durability, and ease of processing, combines the characteristics of both plastics and elastomers. Recycling TPR involves collecting, sorting, cleaning, and reprocessing TPR waste, which not only reduces landfill waste but also conserves natural resources by minimizing the need for new raw materials.