rPET (recycled polyester): made from post-consumer plastic bottles. ~9 PET bottles → 1 t-shirt. Reduces virgin plastic use by 40-60%. Durability comparable to virgin polyester. Wash durability 50+ cycles.
Organic cotton (GOTS): grown without synthetic pesticides, GMO seeds, chemical fertilizers. Saves 91% water vs conventional cotton. GOTS certification covers full supply chain.
Decision matrix:
- Sportswear, performance fabrics → rPET (technical properties match)
- Soft casual wear, baby items → Organic cotton (skin contact preference)
- Mid-weight T-shirts → Organic cotton (premium feel)
- Tote bags → Organic cotton or rPET (both work)
- Hoodies → Cotton blend (organic option) or rPET fleece
ESG comparison:
- rPET: addresses plastic waste crisis, lower water use than cotton, but still synthetic (microplastic shedding)
- Organic cotton: better skin contact, biodegradable, but high water use (still 30% less than conventional)
Cost premium vs conventional:
- rPET: ~5-10% premium
- Organic cotton (GOTS): 25-35% premium
Both can be combined: 50/50 organic cotton/rPET blend balances softness + durability + lower environmental impact than pure synthetic.
Recommendation: Brand-led ESG → Organic cotton (premium). Performance + ESG balance → rPET. Best-in-class → Combined or specifically certified items.