Last Updated on April 10, 2025
You’ve probably heard of polyester fabric before: It’s commonly used to make clothes and home furnishings. But what is it and how does it compare to recycled polyester? Which is more sustainable?
Personally, I try to opt for natural fibers whenever I can. Synthetic materials shed microplastics over time, aren’t as durable, and can’t be composted at the end of their life. Plus, I don’t really like how synthetic materials feel on my skin.
However, there are certain items that are harder to find synthetic-free, like athletic-wear and period underwear. These clothing items tend to need synthetics to offer stretchability and enhance performance.
When I first started going zero waste, I wanted to live a completely plastic free lifestyle, even free of recycled plastic. But then I started learning a lot more about recycled plastic materials, emissions and looking at the bigger picture.
Recycling plastic, like recycled polyester, definitely has its place in the sustainability movement. If you’re wondering which is better for the environment, here’s everything you need to know.
what is polyester?
Polyester is a synthetic fabric made from petroleum-based chemicals, specifically polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Petroleum (aka crude oil) is a non-renewable material that is often extracted from the earth unsustainably.
To create virgin polyester, 70 million barrels of oil are used annually, and turning this oil into fabric releases a lot of toxins into the environment.
However, most of our clothes are made of polyester because of how cheap it is to make. If you check a clothing label, chances are it will contain a certain amount of polyester in it.
Polyester is non-biodegradable, meaning it can take hundreds of years to decompose in landfills.
Its widespread use in fast fashion exacerbates the issue, as discarded garments often end up as long-lasting waste. Not so fun fact: We have enough clothes on the planet right now to for the next six generations!
what is recycled polyester?
Recycled polyester, often referred to as rPET, is made by repurposing existing plastic waste, such as used PET bottles or discarded fishing nets. This process reduces the need for virgin raw materials and diverts plastic waste from landfills and oceans.
The production of rPET uses significantly less energy compared to virgin polyester and results in lower greenhouse gas emissions. It’s a step towards a circular economy, where materials are reused rather than discarded.
Kayaness, a sustainable period company I co-founded with Shelby Orme, utilizes recycled polyester. The period underwear is made using ethical manufacturing and undergoes rigorous testing for safety.
Plus, period underwear is reusable and helps keep a lot of single-use period products out of landfills (the average pad contains four plastic bags worth of plastic in it!).
RELATED: How to Use Period Underwear: The Ultimate Guide to Period Panties
There is so much plastic in the world — we should be turning it into something. In fact, we shouldn’t be using any virgin plastic! After all, the most ecofriendly plastic is the one that already exists.
And plastic is only recycled 5-6% of the time, down from 9%. If we want to see that recycling rate go up, the best thing we can do is support brands that utilize recycled materials.
is recycled polyester a good material?
In comparison to virgin polyester, yes, recycled polyester is a good material.
RPET repurposes plastic waste, such as PET bottles, reducing the need for virgin resources and diverting waste from landfills and oceans.
It requires significantly less energy (59% less to be exact) to produce compared to virgin polyester.
Additionally, rPET retains the durability and versatility of virgin polyester, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.
does recycled polyester release microplastics?
Yes, recycled polyester does release microplastics. Like virgin polyester, it sheds tiny plastic fibers during washing and wear.
These microplastics can enter waterways and contribute to environmental pollution. While rPET reduces the need for new plastic production, addressing the issue of microplastic pollution remains a challenge for both recycled and virgin synthetic fabrics.
can recycled polyester be washed?
Yes, recycled polyester can be washed, and it is generally easy to care for. It can be machine-washed, but it’s recommended to use cold water and a gentle cycle to preserve the fabric’s quality.
For example, Kayaness (made from recycled polyester) can be machine-washed on delicate in cold water with a mild detergent. Just make sure to air dry them!
To minimize microplastic shedding with polyester fabrics, consider using a washing bag designed to capture fibers or washing less frequently. Always check the care label for specific instructions.
is recycled polyester cool in summer?
Recycled polyester is lightweight and moisture-wicking, which can help keep you dry in hot weather.
However, it is less breathable than natural fibers like cotton or linen, which makes it less ideal for staying cool in summer.
It’s a better choice for activewear or situations where moisture wicking is a priority, but for ultimate breathability and comfort, natural fabrics might be preferable.
which is more sustainable?
In terms of polyester vs. recycled polyester, you may be wondering which is more sustainable. Recycled materials are always going to be more sustainable than virgin materials.
Here are the key differences.
environmental impact:
- Virgin polyester relies on non-renewable fossil fuels and contributes to resource scarcity.
- Recycled polyester reduces plastic waste and conserves resources, making it a more sustainable option.
energy and water consumption:
- Producing recycled polyester uses about half the energy required for virgin polyester.
- The extraction of virgin raw materials and manufacturing them into single use items uses up water. Recycling reduces the need for materials, thus creating a smaller water footprint.
durability and quality:
- Both materials are durable, but recycled polyester offers comparable performance while being more eco-friendly.
microplastics:
- Both virgin and recycled polyester shed microplastics during washing, which can pollute waterways. Innovations in fabric technology are needed to address this issue.
Recycled polyester is the more sustainable choice. By repurposing existing materials, it reduces the environmental footprint of production and helps tackle the global plastic waste crisis.
However, it’s not a perfect solution, as it still sheds microplastics and relies on synthetic materials. The most sustainable choice will always be to thrift natural fabrics and materials when possible. Or support sustainable, nontoxic clothing brands.
What are your thoughts on recycled polyester? Do you utilize it in your wardrobe? Let me know in the comments!
The post Polyester vs. Recycled Polyester: Which is More Sustainable? appeared first on Going Zero Waste.
Polyester vs. Recycled Polyester: Which is More Sustainable?
Just like fashion has been overrun by fast fashion, home goods and furniture have similarly seen a rapid decline in quality. Rugs are no exception.
And similar to fashion, these cheap goods come at a high cost — namely, to the planet and to people. In fact carpet and rug production is rampant with exploitation.
On the other hand, fair trade rugs present the best of what a rug can bring to your home: artistry, craftsmanship, and heritage.
The brands featured in this guide are partnering with (and fairly paying!) skilled artisans who are using generations-old — and sometimes even centuries-old — techniques. These artisans are sustaining long lines of crafts, preserving their cultural diversity, and celebrating the richness of their time-honored crafts.
There’s simply no replacement for a timeless, quality artisan-made rug — they’re like pieces of art you can lay out on your floor or hang on your walls.
So, enjoy browsing through this guide to sustainable rug brands listed out below and best of luck on your search for the right fair trade rug!
Where to Find Ethical and Fair Trade Rugs
Note that this guide includes affiliates and partners. As always, brands must meet high standards for ethics and sustainability to be featured and all opinions are my own.
1. Obakki
Best for: warm-hued handwoven wool rugs
Categories: Area Rugs, Runners, Accent Rugs
Obakki partners with artisan weavers primarily in Oaxaca, Mexico — including individual makers like José — who hand-dyes and weaves rugs on a traditional pedal loom using locally sourced sheep’s wool and natural dyes derived from native plants. The brand also works with Rrres Design Studio, a Latin American studio dedicated to preserving traditional Oaxacan weaving techniques, and sources handwoven textiles from artisan communities beyond Mexico as well, including Morocco.
Each rug is made from 100% wool with no synthetic dyes or backing. Most pieces are made-to-order with a 4-8 week production window, shipped directly from the artisan partners.
Price Range: $460 – $4,159
Conscious Qualities: Natural Fibers, Natural Dyes, Craft Preservation
2. Kiliim
Best for: modern wool kilim rugs
Categories: Area Rugs, Accent Rugs
If you’re well-versed in rug terminology, you may recognize that this brand’s name looks similar to the word kilim.
Kiliim’s rug are made using authentic kilim rug craftsmanship by artisans in Egypt coming from generations of kilim artisans. To ensure ethical production and to support the preservation of this heritage craft, Kiliim pays living wages to all artisans.
Price Range: $95 – $4,812
Conscious Qualities: Ethical Production, Heritage Craft Preservation, Natural Fibers
3. Urban Natural
Best for: browsing fair trade rugs in lots of styles and sizes
Categories: Outdoor, Area Rugs, and Accent Rugs
This natural home and lifestyle retailer has a beautifully curated selection of sustainably-made rugs crafted with materials like jute, sisal, wool, and cotton.
Several brands on Urban Natural are also ethically hand-loomed or hand-knotted, such as Loloi — a GoodWeave partner — and Jaipur Living — a brand that partners with thousands of local artisans to sustain heritage crafts.
Price Range: $259 – $9,755
Conscious Qualities: Eco-Conscious Materials
4. LOOMY
Best for: pet-friendly and performance rugs
Categories: Area Rugs, Accent Rugs, Runners, Outdoor Rugs
Founded by a weaver, LOOMY is dedicated to crafting beautiful artisan-made rugs that will last for decades to come.
LOOMY partners with highly-skilled artisan weavers who craft quality rugs made from eco-minded materials like banana silk, jute, and recycled cotton, plus performance options made from 100% recycled polyester built to withstand whatever life brings you.
Price Range: $298 – $8,298
Conscious Qualities: Natural Fibers, Craft Preservation, Vintage Options
5. West Elm
Best for: fair trade rugs in on-trend mainstream styles
Categories: Area Rugs, Accent Rugs
West Elm is bringing ethical rugs to a broader market with their collection of Fair Trade Certified
wool and cotton rugs. While I recommend browsing the smaller shops listed above first, West Elm is supporting the movement to responsibly-made, fair trade rugs.
Price Range: $$$
Conscious Qualities: Fair Trade production, Majority Natural Materials
6. Jubi
Best for: Modern rugs in vibrant prints
Categories: Accent Rugs, Circle Rugs, Runners
Jubi is a Brooklyn studio founded by textile designer Cassie Dagostino. Every rug is handmade from New Zealand wool by fourth-generation weaving families in Bhadohi, India using traditional techniques. Each rug is made-to-order, meaning no excess stock. Since everything is made to order, expect between 3 and 7 weeks for your rug, depending on the technique used.
Conscious Qualities: Pays Above Market Rates, 100% Wool, Made-to-Order
Price Range: $228 – $668
Shipping: Free worldwide shipping
7. Rejuvenation
Best for: Classic rug styles made in Fair Trade factories
Categories: Accent Rugs, Runners, Area Rugs
Home retailer Rejuvenation has a selection of rugs made in Fair Trade Certified factories. Their collection includes undyed hand-loomed rugs to geometric flatwoven wool rugs. And while I’d typically avoid synthetics, it tends to be unavoidable for outdoor rugs — so Rejuvenation’s Fair Trade 100% recycled poly rug is a good option.
Conscious Qualities: Fair Trade Certified, Mostly Natural Materials
Price Range: $79 – $1,649
Shipping: Contiguous U.S. shipping for 10% of product price (add $20 for HI, AK, and US. territorries)
Liked this guide to ethical rugs? You might also enjoy:
Ethical Home Decor Brands to Curate a Beautiful, Conscious Space
Eco-Friendly Furniture to Furnish Your Home Sustainably
Fair Trade and Eco-Friendly Blankets to Cozy Up With
The post 5 Best Ethical Fair Trade Rugs to Elevate Your Space appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.
As a longtime book lover, I may be biased, but I think a full bookshelf is one of the most beautiful additions to a space. There’s nothing better than seeing a showcase of your favorite reads alongside a TBR list.
A bookcase, though, can of course be used for all sorts of purposes from placing your favorite photos of family and friends to showcasing treasured vintage finds.
Whatever the case, this guide will help you find the right sustainable bookshelf for your living room, office, or wherever you like to cozy up with a good read!
So what make a bookcase more sustainable? What makes a bookshelf non-toxic?
First of all: sustainable and non-toxic are two overlapping — but distinct — criteria. And both of those terms can come with a lot of opinions and varying definitions.
When it comes to sustainable bookcases, I look for:
- Responsibly Sourced Materials: most bookshelves are made primarily with wood. While natural, unsustainable wood sourcing can be a cause of deforestation, so we want to see that the wood was from responsibly managed forests or made from reclaimed or repurposed wood. Some bookshelves may feature metal, in which case recycled materials here are important.
- High Quality Construction: sustainability includes longevity — how long will you be able to use that furniture piece before it goes to the landfill and gets replaced? Look for transparency around craftsmanship and woodworking processes. Another sign of quality is the length of warranty a company has for its products.
- Ethically Made: this one is straightforward in theory — were the people making it paid fairly and working in safe conditions? — but is unfortunately not always easy to find information. In this category, I look for transparency in practices, what relationship the brand has with the manufacturer (some produce in-house which is the best case scenario for transparency!), where it was made, and how well the makers were paid.
Ideally a sustainable bookshelf would also be non-toxic — as toxic chemical fumes aren’t exactly sustainable! But this isn’t always the case. For example, if a company prioritizes upcycled materials, they don’t necessarily have control over what inputs were part of the original materials. And sometimes a company focuses more on ethical artisan partnerships and sustainable wood sourcing, more than, say, using non-toxic finishes.
But when it comes to non-toxic bookshelves, this is what I look for. (Note that non-toxic doesn’t necessarily mean safe for all chemical sensitivities. Nor does it mean zero potentially irritating chemicals.)
- Solid Wood (where possible): MDF or pressed wood contains glue to stick the various wood pieces together, which can contain added formaldehyde. I prefer solid wood, or if it is engineered wood, I’d make sure the company is transparent around the type of glue used and/or they at least have a product certification like GREENGUARD. (More on that in a second.)
- Low or Zero VOC Finishes: most wood furniture is completed with some sort of finish to provide a protection against scratches or moisture. Many of these finishes are synthetic, and some can contain high levels of toxic chemicals. Look for a natural finish like linseed oil or beeswax or a low VOC synthetic finish.
Relevant Certifications
You’ll see a few certifications referenced throughout this guide. Here’s what each one covers:
- FSC Certified = the wood sourcing was responsibly managed; this is not a finish, foam, or textile guarantee.
- GREENGUARD / GREENGUARD Gold Certified = the finished product was tested for low chemical emissions, including VOCs, with Gold representing the stricter tier.
- Fair Trade Certified
= verifies that a factory meets standards for fair wages, safe working conditions, and ethical labor practices. - Cradle to Cradle Certified (Gold) = evaluates a product or material across material health, circularity, clean air/climate, water/soil stewardship, and social fairness.
Where to Find Sustainable Bookcases and Shelving
I’m always a secondhand first proponent, and that goes for furniture, too. While your local thrift store might not have used bookshelves, check for dedicated furniture resale shops near you or estate sales. (I use EstateSales.net to find ones near me.) You can also find gently used pieces on online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp or AptDeco.
If you can’t find something you love secondhand, and you don’t want to DIY your own bookshelf, then the next best choice is to shop from one of the sustainable furniture companies below. (If you’re simply looking for a bookstand, I’d suggest browsing Etsy for a collection of solid wood, bamboo, and reclaimed wood book stands and cookbook stands!)
Note that this guide includes affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you purchase through these links which helps us continue to run this website and create resources like these. As always all brands meet strict sustainability criteria and are brands we love — and that we think you’ll love too!
1. Medley
Best for: low VOC wood bookcases
Medley’s bookshelves are elegant and elevated, perfect for a living room. Each piece is made with 100% solid FSC-certified hardwood for the tops and sides, though low-VOC CARB 2 compliant plywood is used for the shelves.
Every eco-friendly bookcase is handcrafted in the US (California or North Carolina) and completed with a low-VOC wood finish.
Price: $2,395 – $2,995
Materials: White Maple, American Walnut Wood
Conscious Qualities: Made-to-Order, US-Made, FSC-Certified Wood, Natural Finish
2. Thuma
Best for: non-toxic modular bookshelf
Thuma’s eco-friendly bookshelf is made from upcycled wood sourced from rubberwood trees no longer being used to source rubber. The brand’s bookshelf is also GREENGUARD Gold certified.
What makes Thuma’s bookshelf stand out to me, though, is its modularity — their Pillar Bookshelf can be set in 10 different configurations. And if you start with just a few shelves but later decide you want a larger bookshelf, you can simply buy an additional shelf or two to add on to it!
Price Range: $550 – $3,300
Materials: Upcylced Rubber Wood
Conscious Qualities: GREENGUARD Gold Certified, Repurposed Materials, Adaptable
