As fashion industry production reaches an all-time high and landfills overflow with discarded clothing, recycled clothing companies are forming a key part of building a more sustainable sector.
The average life of a garment in the UK is just over two years. The rapid pace at which we buy and throw away clothing is starting to have a steep environmental toll.
It’s estimated that every year the world creates a staggering 92 million tonnes of textile waste. By 2030 these 92 million tonnes are expected to swell to 134 million tonnes. As the clothing market currently operates, we are throwing away more clothes than ever before.
Fashion brands using recycled materials offer a more considered, circular fashion model built on the principles of reusing what has already been created.
What is Recycled Fashion?
Broadly, recycled fashion is anything in the fashion sector that is made from materials that were once something else. Recycled textiles are normally separated into two categories, pre-consumer waste, and post-consumer waste.
Pre-Consumer Waste
This is fabric deadstock and leftovers from the production process that is reabsorbed into the clothing market to make new styles. See our article about deadstock fabric for more information.
Post-Consumer Waste
This is what more commonly comes to mind when talking about recycled materials. Post-consumer waste is from garments or products that have already been used and discarded. These thrown away materials can then be made into something new.
What Can Recycled clothing be Made From?
Really, recycled fashion can be made from anything. Items could be made from reclaimed textiles, plastic waste, or even in some cases de-commissioned London firehoses.
The fashion industry is so broad that a variety of products can be repurposed into fashionable items. However, some of the most common recycled fabrics in the fashion industry come from plastic waste and textile waste.
Is it Sustainable?
Like with most sustainable fashion concepts, recycled clothing is not a perfect solution, however, it is a good one based on current technologies. Recycled material can still shed microplastics and can still be made from unsustainable fibres. However, recycled clothing companies do help to reduce waste in the fashion industry. To read about ways to reduce microfibres in clothing check out our article.
Products like recycled denim drastically reduce the water needed to make a garment, and recycled polyester could reduce emissions by 32% compared to virgin fabric. We’ve written more about recycled polyester in this article.
Using recycled fabrics overall supports sustainable practices and a circular fashion industry, and that is always a good thing.
Recycled Fashion Companies
This handy list outlines twelve innovative brands engaging with the recycled fashion market.
Price Key:
£: under £35
££: £35 – £65
£££: over £65
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Recycled clothing From Plastic Waste
1. Lucy & Yak
Based: UK Ships to: International
Made in: India
Range: Casual wear and streetwear
Price: ££
Sustainability creds: Ecologi Climate Positive, Living Wage Employer, 2020 Drapers Sustainable Fashion Award-Shortlisted
Lucy and Yak is one of the recycled clothing companies that is thorough in its ethical approach. It works with a variety of sustainable fabrics, including new sustainable fabric innovations. The brand isn’t afraid of a bright colour or a fun print and has eclectic clothing in sizes from UK4 – 32.
Lucy and Yak is expanding on its repair and recycling programs to promote a circular market for its clothing. It also offers stylish sweaters with fleece made from recycled plastic bottles. These sweaters are not only sustainable, but soft and warm as well.
2. Planet warrior
Based: UK Ships to: UK
Range: Activewear, swimwear, athletics accessories
Price: ££
Sustainability creds: Eco-Age, Just One Tree Partner, Eco-Packaging
Made from recycled plastic, Planet Warrior styles are as sustainable as they are gorgeous. With comfortable leggings adorned with vibrant tropical flowers, or practical sports bras with dreamy star prints, Planet Warrior clothes are sure to make a statement.
Planet Warrior has the commendable Eco-Age certification. Its use of recycled plastic helps keep litter out of landfill and the ocean, and the brand also uses eco-friendly packaging.
3. dora larsen
Based: UK Ships to: International
Made in: India and China
Range: Lingerie
Price: ££
Sustainability creds: 1% for the Planet, Global Recycled Standard (GRS), Ethical Trading Initiative Factories
With a range of colourful, cheeky styles, Dora Larsen is bringing sustainability to the lingerie market. An impressive 83% of the materials that the brand uses are made from recycled, organic, or natural fibres.
All lace used by this sustainable brand is made from GRS approved yarns made from recycled fishing nets and post-consumer waste.
4. wolven
Based: USA Ships to: International
Made in: USA and China
Range: Activewear
Price: ££
Sustainability creds: Climate Neutral Certified, GRS Certified, OEKO-TEX Certified, Workplace Conditions Assessment, 1% for the Planet Membership
Wolven is a sustainable fashion company that is the master of creating stylish activewear with a modern boho charm.
The brand has an impressive array of sustainable credentials. It uses recycled plastic in its clothing, giving a new life to plastic waste.
5. ruby moon
Based: UK Ships to: International
Range: Active and swimwear
Price: ££
Sustainability creds: Social Enterprise, PeTA Approved Vegan, OEKO-TEX Certified
The world’s only completely circular, not-for-profit, active and swimwear brand, Ruby Moon turns ocean waste into stylish swim to gym clothing. The brand has partnered with Healthyseas and makes all clothing out of Econyl, a fabric made from recycled nylon waste.
More than just a fashion brand using recycled materials, all profits from Ruby Moon go towards providing microloans for women entrepreneurs. Thus far, this inspiring company has helped 1200 women start businesses and move beyond poverty.
Products Made from Unusual Materials
6. bottletop
Based: UK Ships to: International
Made in: Brazil
Range: Bags and accessories
Price: £££
Sustainability creds: Bottletop Foundation, recycled materials, Togetherband campaign
With innovative items made from bottletops and pull rings, Bottletop is bringing a contemporary style to the accessories sector. The brand has everything from bags made from pull rings that embody trendy re-imaginings of chain mail, to classic scarves and minimalistic jewellery.
Bottletop supports health and education charities and started the Togetherband Campaign to promote environmental awareness and protection.
7. elvis & kresse
Based: UK Ships to: International
Range: Men’s and women’s wallets, bags, accessories, and homewares
Price: £££
Sustainability creds: Certified B Corporation, Certified Social Enterprise, Living Wage Employer
Made from reclaimed leather and decommissioned fire hoses Elvis and Kresse products are luxurious, bang on trend, and durable. Since 2005 none of London’s firehoses have gone to waste thanks to them. Since 2017 it has also worked with Burberry to save 120 tons of leather offcuts.
Believing in an ethical and sustainable future, Elvis and Kresse also donates 50% of profits to charity. We think they’re great!
8. raeburn
Based: UK Ships to: International
Made in: UK
Range: Women’s and Women’s Styles
Price: £££
Sustainability creds: 1% for the Planet, sustainable packaging
Crafting clothing from recycled, decommissioned military stock, Raeburn clothing is as unique as it is cool. With utilitarian styles, Raeburn clothing is not only high quality but sure to turn heads.
Everything from wool field jackets to parachutes are repurposed into Raeburn clothes. The brand is part of 1% for the Planet and through its one-of-a-kind, innovative offering saves valuable products from going to waste.
Fashion from Recycled Clothing and Textiles
9. nobody’s child
Based: UK Ships to: International
Made in: Bangladesh, China, Morocco, Ukraine
Range: Women’s wear and kids’ wear
Price: £
Sustainability creds: Sustainable materials, organic cotton, sustainable packaging
Nobody’s Child is the home of contemporary sustainable fashion. Styles are chic and trendy, perfectly fitting in on any fashionable inner-city street. With everything from dresses to outerwear to loungewear available, Nobody’s Child has something for everybody.
The brand uses recycled synthetics and works with the Global Recycled Standard. All clothing produced must have OEKO-TEX, Bluesign or GOTS certification. As well as using recycled synthetics, the brand repurposes pre-consumer deadstock fabric into accessories.
10. E.L.V. denim
Based: UK Ships to: International
Made in: UK
Range: Jeans, jackets and shorts
Price: £££
Sustainability creds: Hyundai ReStyle 2020 Project, Zero Waste Policy
The recycled clothing company that is the denim specialist, E.L.V. Denim (standing for East London Vintage) has sophisticated and cool denim styles for both men and women. E.L.V. ranges are made from post-consumer denim waste, saving this valuable resource from landfill.
The brand offers both standard and bespoke services and has worked with the likes of Hyundai and Swarovski. All production takes place in East London. Furthering the brand’s sustainable mindset, even the labels it uses are recycled.
11. nancy dee
Based: UK Ships to: International
Made in: UK
Range: Women’s styles
Price: ££
Sustainability creds: Sustainable materials, awarded Top 20 Green Projects 2015
Nancy Dee designs versatile styles for the busy modern woman. Designs effortlessly transition from day to night and are perfect for everything from office wear to an evening out.
Nancy Dee uses sustainable and upcycled materials in its clothing ranges, meaning these styles are not only versatile but sustainable too.
12. rapanui
Based: UK Ships to: International
Made in: UK
Range: Men’s and women’s casual styles
Price: £
Sustainability creds: Renewable Energy Factory, Circular Fashion Model, Teemill Platform
Rapanui clothing is the ultimate circular fashion company (see our interview with their co-founder). The brand encourages consumers to send their worn garments back to the company where it recovers the fabric fibres to make brand new products.
All styles are made in a renewable energy factory and manufactured to order, eliminating the issue of overstock. Rapanui has everything from quirky printed tees to classic jackets to cosy sweaters on offer.
Tomorrow’s Fashion Built on Yesterday’s Products
Whether it is a trendy bag made from firehoses, a quirky tee built from recovered textile fibres, or yoga pants that started life as plastic bottles, there are innovative recycled styles available.
As creating a more sustainable fashion industry becomes growingly important, the recycled clothing market is becoming essential. Providing a circular approach to fashion, recycled clothing companies are a core component in building an eco-friendly sector.
After all, whoever said that your favourite yoga pants shouldn’t have started life as a plastic bottle?
