Does recycled polyester shed more microplastics than virgin polyester?

Research indicates that recycled polyester sheds approximately 55% more microplastic fibers than virgin polyester. The recycling process, which typically involves shredding PET plastic bottles and re-extruding them into fiber, produces structurally weaker filaments with more surface irregularities. These imperfections act as breakage points during wear and washing, accelerating fiber shedding.

This finding complicates the narrative around recycled polyester as a sustainable solution. While it diverts plastic bottles from landfill, it creates a new pathway for microplastic pollution through clothing. The BTEX compounds (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene) present in recycled PET can also pose chemical exposure concerns through skin contact and off-gassing.

Recycled polyester remains plastic, and using it in clothing that is washed frequently creates ongoing microplastic pollution throughout the garment's life. Truly sustainable alternatives are fibers that biodegrade at end of life and do not shed persistent plastic particles. ONDU focuses on these materials because reducing plastic in clothing is more impactful than recycling it into a different form of pollution.