ZDHC: Recycled Polyester Guidelines
ZDHC announced the publication of the Recycled Polyester Guidelines V1.0 and Industry Standard Implementation Approach V1.0.
The use of recycled polyester has grown increasingly, growing by 3.5% to 8.9 million tonnes in 2023. In order to support the fashion industry with a framework for sustainable chemical management in the production process for bottle-to-textile and textile-to-textile recycling processes, ZDHC has developed these transformative guidelines.
Objective:
The document sets requirements, across three chapters, for recycled polyester manufacturers on key chemicals used in recycled polyester processes, the recovery and reuse of these chemicals, safe chemical storage and handling, worker safety and the environmental impacts of commercially viable processes on wastewater, air and sludge.
Chapter 1
Input management covers bottle/textile feedstock and chemicals used as inputs in recycled polyester production.
Chapter 2
Process management covers best practices, including chemical recovery, safe storage and handling of chemicals for worker safety.
Chapter 3
Output management covers emissions from wastewater, sludge and air from the production of recycled polyester fibre.
Expectations by ZDHC:
Brands should share these guidelines with their relevant suppliers and build in the request to implement these guidelines into their strategy and policies.
Suppliers should study these guidelines and take relevant actions to ensure implementation.
Solution providers should review the test methods and limits detailed in the guidelines.
ZDHC
