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Material Deep Dive

Recycled Nylon

Recycled nylon can perform well on production-stage impacts when supported by robust EPD data (e.

Synthetic

Recycled

End of Life

Not biodegradable

20/100
Chemical Use

Low

80/100
Pollution

Low

80/100
Water Usage

14 L/kg

100/100
Carbon Footprint

1 kg CO₂/kg

95/100
Considerations

Still sheds plastic microfibres when washed—use a microfibre-catching wash bag

Won't break down naturally, so end-of-life remains an issue

Quality depends on the source material and recycling process

Not truly circular yet—recycling infrastructure is still developing

Strengths

Much lower carbon footprint than virgin nylon

Diverts waste like fishing nets and industrial scraps from landfill and oceans

Maintains the durability of virgin nylon for long garment life

Uses minimal water in production

Look for GRS certification for verified recycled content

Carbon Footprint Analysis

95/100

Recycled Nylon produces approximately 1 kg CO₂-equivalent per kilogram of fiber.

The Data

Carbon Footprint

1 kg CO₂/kg

FSI Carbon Score

95/100

Sources: Higg Materials Sustainability Index, Textile Exchange Preferred Fiber Report

Sustainability Breakdown

Microplastic risk

High

Care level

Easy

Available certifications

Global Recycled Standard (GRS), Recycled Claim Standard (RCS), OEKO-TEX Standard 100

Key properties

strong, elastic, durable, lightweight, water-resistant, moisture-wicking, abrasion-resistant, easy to wash, quick-drying, resilient, versatile

Common uses

activewear, leggings, sports bras, jackets, bags, backpacks, totes, luggage, outdoor gear, tents, ropes, hiking apparel, swimwear, windbreakers, performance fabrics

Also known as

ECONYL, regenerated nylon, ocean nylon, post-consumer nylon, recycled polyamide, reclaimed nylon

Recycled Nylon quick guide

Last updated: December 2025

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