Research reveals strong consumer demand for recycled PET fabric products, suggesting a major opportunity for industry transformation and waste reduction.
A comprehensive study released on November 20, 2024, outlines an ambitious plan to transform the United States’ textile and packaging industries, with a particular focus on recycled PET fabrics and PET packaging. The research, published by Systemiq with support from Closed Loop Partners, Eunomia, and The Recycling Partnership, presents strategies to shift these sectors from single-use models to circular, sustainable systems by 2040.
Consumer behavior research included in the study indicates a growing demand for recycled PET fabric products, with sustainability-conscious shoppers expressing a willingness to pay premium prices for garments made from recycled materials. However, the current infrastructure struggles to meet this demand, with only 1% of polyester textiles currently being recycled in the United States.
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a strong, lightweight plastic resin and a form of polyester. It’s used extensively in packaging and textiles due to its durability, transparency, and ability to act as a moisture barrier. Common items containing PET include water bottles, soft drink containers, food packaging trays, recycled PET fabric can be in clothing (where it’s known as polyester), bed sheets, curtains, sleeping bag filling, carpets, and rope.
In packaging, you’ll find PET in peanut butter jars, cooking oil containers, personal care product bottles (like shampoo and mouthwash), and clear plastic clamshell containers used for produce and takeout food. When PET is used in textiles, it’s often labeled simply as “polyester” and appears in everything from t-shirts and fleece jackets to athletic wear and swimsuits. PET’s widespread use makes it one of the most commonly recycled plastics worldwide.
The study arrives at a crucial moment, following California’s passage of the Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024 and recent federal action on plastic pollution. Currently, five states—California, Colorado, Maine, Minnesota, and Oregon—have enacted Extended Producer Responsibility laws for packaging, with ten more states considering similar legislation.
The scale of current textile consumption is substantial: Americans use more than 10 billion polyester garments annually while also consuming over 100 billion PET bottles. These materials represent 30% of U.S. plastic packaging and textile consumption. Consumer surveys reveal that most Americans are unaware that their polyester clothing could be recycled into new recycled PET fabric, highlighting a significant educational opportunity.
Without intervention, consumption is projected to increase 1.5 times by 2040, resulting in 13 million metric tons of annual waste—equivalent to 750,000 garbage trucks. This trajectory would push greenhouse gas emissions from domestic PET and polyester production to 2.5 times higher than levels needed to meet U.S. emissions reduction targets.

Market research indicates that 73% of consumers express interest in purchasing products made from recycled PET fabric, but cite availability and price as primary barriers. The textile industry has an opportunity to address these concerns through scaled recycling operations and improved manufacturing efficiency.
The study proposes several circular economy approaches to address these challenges:
- Reducing unnecessary material use through improved design and manufacturing
- Expanding textile resale initiatives and second-hand markets
- Implementing clothing take-back programs at retail locations
- Enhancing recycling through mechanical and depolymerization technologies
- Developing consumer education programs about recycled PET fabric benefits
Depolymerization recycling technology emerges as a particularly promising solution. This innovative approach can work alongside traditional mechanical recycling methods to process polyester textiles and difficult-to-recycle PET packaging into virgin-quality recycled materials, reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
Consumer behavior analysis reveals several key factors influencing recycling participation:
- Convenience of recycling locations
- Clear instructions about acceptable materials
- Knowledge about the environmental impact of textile waste
- Understanding of how recycled PET fabric is produced
- Incentives for participating in recycling programs
The proposed transformation could achieve significant environmental and economic benefits by 2040:
- Increase polyester textile recycling from 1% to 19%
- Boost PET packaging recycling rates from 23% to 70%
- Cut virgin PET and polyester consumption by half
- Reduce projected greenhouse gas emissions for packaging by approximately 60%
- Create 46,000 new direct U.S. jobs
- Generate $4.9 billion in annual additional revenue for U.S. recycling industries
The study emphasizes the need for coordinated action from policymakers and industry leaders. Key recommendations for policymakers include:
- Implementing well-designed Extended Producer Responsibility laws
- Encouraging product design for circularity through fee structures
- Incentivizing domestic infrastructure development
- Expanding collection and sorting capabilities
- Setting mandates for post-consumer recycled content
- Reducing investment risks for the private sector
For textile industry leaders, the study recommends:
- Expanding clothing collection programs
- Investing in recycled PET fabric production capacity
- Designing garments for easier recycling
- Implementing clear recycling labels and instructions
- Developing consumer education initiatives
The research highlights the importance of collaboration between government, industry, and investors to create favorable conditions for new technologies. This includes artificial intelligence-based waste sorting and depolymerization recycling systems.
The study was developed under the guidance of an independent Steering Group comprising more than 15 representatives from industry, waste management and recycling, academia, and civil society. Eastman commissioned and funded the study and held one seat in the Steering Group.