Yes, polyester can be recycled, though the process is somewhat unique compared to other textiles. Polyester garments and products can be disposed of in textile or clothing recycling bins as usual. At the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), these items are sorted out from other materials and then recycled through one of two primary methods:
- Mechanical Recycling: Here, the polyester plastics are melted down to form new yarn. This method has limitations as the fibers degrade in quality after a few cycles.
- Chemical Recycling: This process involves breaking down the plastic molecules to create new yarn, which is then used to manufacture new products.
