Fabric
Recycled Cotton
Panipat and Tiruppur mechanical recycling clusters
Impact score
79/ 100
Better Choice
A blended indicator of water, carbon, chemical load, durability and recyclability.
Measured impact per kg of fibre
Water footprint900 L / kg
Carbon footprint2.1 kg CO₂e / kg
Process energy22 MJ / kg
Microfibre sheddingNo shedding
BiodegradableYes
Durability3 years typical wear
Recyclability65 / 100
Data confidence
mediumMedium confidence — published ranges vary by region and process
Sources: Textile Exchange Recycled Cotton 2023 · Higg MSI 2023
Figures are cradle-to-gate averages per kilogram of fibre or fabric, not measurements of your specific garment. A typical adult shirt weighs roughly 0.2 kg.
Qualitative ratings
Water useLow
Carbon footprintLow
Chemical loadLow
DurabilityModerate
RecyclabilityGood when unblended
What is it
Post-industrial or post-consumer cotton shredded back into fibre and re-spun.
Why it matters
Avoids virgin cultivation entirely, but shorter fibres mean it is usually blended for strength.
Water Carbon Chemicals End of life
What you can do
Prefer 100% recycled or recycled-with-cotton blends over recycled-with-polyester.