Recycled standards such as GRS and RCS recognise two main sources of recycled material.
Pre-consumer material
Waste created during manufacturing that never reached a consumer, such as fibre waste, yarn waste or fabric cutting scraps. It must be material that would otherwise be discarded, not material that can be reused directly in the same process.
Post-consumer material
Material from products that consumers have used and thrown away, such as PET bottles or old garments.
Why the difference matters
- Some brands set targets for post-consumer content specifically
- Certificates and Transaction Certificates can show the split
- Claims should state the type accurately
Common examples in fabric
- Recycled polyester made from post-consumer PET bottles
- Recycled cotton from pre-consumer cutting waste
Ask us about recycled fabrics and their documentation.