You probably have a You notice we’re in the middle of a climate crisis, but we’re also facing a waste crisis. Trash pollutes our oceans, lines city and country streets, and harms animals trying to get through the day. We can reduce our use of plastic, especially single-use plastics, but some companies have figured out how to turn some of that rubbish – mostly plastic bottles and old clothes – into new products.
This is a growing category, but these are our favorite recycled clothing we’ve tested so far. Be sure to check out our other product guides, like Best Recycled Bags, Best Everyday Products Made with Recycled Materials, and Best Reusable Products.
Updated April 2023: We’ve added Parade underwear, men’s Rothys shoes, Thousand Fell sneakers, and a recommendation for Taylor Stitch.
How does plastic become thread?
Most companies use “post-consumer” plastic, which means it comes from plastic that has been used and recycled. Pre-consumer means that it comes from waste in the manufacturing process before anyone buys it. The plastic bottles are collected, dried, cut and made into small granules. The plastic then passes through an extruder that spins and pulls it like candy to turn it into yarn. This still consumes a lot of energy and resources, but produces much less waste. Everyone needs clothes, so they may be more sustainable.