When you see “recycled polyester” or “rPET” in a product description, it can sound a bit abstract. Is it actually better? Is it comfortable? Is it just marketing?
Let’s break it down in normal language.
So… what is recycled polyester?
Polyester is a synthetic fibre – usually made from fossil fuels.
Recycled polyester (rPET) is the same type of fibre, but instead of being made from new raw materials, it’s made from existing plastic, like bottles and packaging.
The result:
you get a fabric that behaves like regular polyester (lightweight, stretchy, quick-drying), but it starts its life by reusing something that already exists instead of creating more from scratch.
How is recycled polyester made?
The basic steps look like this:
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Collect
Used plastic items (often bottles and other packaging) are collected and sorted. -
Break down
The plastic is cleaned and crushed into tiny flakes. -
Melt & spin
Those flakes are melted and spun into yarn. -
Turn into fabric
The yarn is woven or knitted into fabric – which then becomes your bikini, leggings, or top.
So yes, the bikini you’re wearing might have started its life as a bunch of plastic bottles.
Why is recycled polyester considered “better”?
No fabric is perfect, but rPET solves a couple of big issues:
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Less energy, fewer emissions
Creating recycled polyester uses significantly less energy than making brand-new polyester from oil, and it results in noticeably lower CO₂ emissions overall. -
Gives existing plastic a second life
Using recycled fibres means at least part of that plastic waste isn’t heading straight to landfills or incineration. -
Keeps performance, improves impact
You still get the same practical benefits as regular polyester—stretch, durability, quick drying, vivid prints—but with a smaller footprint compared to using virgin polyester only.
It’s not a magic solution that fixes everything in fashion, but it’s one of the more realistic, scalable improvements we can make today.
What this means for Milene Collie pieces
Some Milene Collie items (like our all-over print swimwear and certain sportswear pieces) use fabrics that include recycled polyester. That means:
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Your swimwear can handle water, sun and movement while holding bright, detailed prints
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You get comfy, stretchy pieces that last
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At least part of the material started life as something that would otherwise be trash
We still work with synthetic fibres, and we’re honest about that. But if we’re using polyester, we’d rather choose options that lower energy use and make better use of existing materials where possible.
How to care for recycled polyester
A few simple habits go a long way:
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Wash cold when you can – it saves energy and protects the fabric.
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Avoid tumble drying if possible – air drying keeps colours and elasticity happier for longer.
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Wash less often – if something isn’t actually dirty, airing it out can be enough.
The longer you keep a piece in your wardrobe and in use, the more you make that recycled material “worth it”.
The short version
Recycled polyester (rPET) is:
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A fabric made from existing plastic, like bottles and packaging
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A way to reuse waste and cut energy use & emissions compared to virgin polyester
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Still stretchy, comfy and perfect for pieces like swimwear and sportswear
For Milene Collie, it’s one of the tools we use to balance bold prints and practical fabrics with a bit more responsibility:
bold by design, produced with purpose, shared for good.