GRS Certified Recycled Polyester & Cotton from Turkey
GRS (Global Recycled Standard) verifies recycled content (minimum 20% to claim, 50%+ for full GRS label), social and environmental criteria, and chain-of-custody. Turkish mills lead in recycled polyester (rPET from bottle-flake) and increasingly in recycled cotton from cutting waste. Bursa, Corlu and Istanbul converters dominate this segment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum recycled content for GRS?
20% to claim GRS scope. 50%+ to use the GRS logo on consumer-facing labeling. Most fashion buyers spec 50-100% recycled content.
Where does Turkish recycled polyester come from?
PET bottle flake from Turkish, Greek and Italian collection streams. A handful of mills (mostly Bursa and Adiyaman) operate full bottle-to-yarn lines; others import certified rPET chips.
Is GRS more expensive than virgin material?
Recycled polyester runs 18-35% premium over virgin PET. Recycled cotton (mechanical) is 5-15% premium; chemically recycled cotton is 60%+ premium and still limited supply.
Can a garment be GRS without recycled trims?
No - all components above 5% of garment weight must be certified or pass the GRS exclusion list. Zippers, labels, buttons, thread all count. Some flexibility for under-5% accessories.
What is the difference between GRS and RCS?
RCS (Recycled Claim Standard) verifies content only. GRS adds social, environmental and chemical criteria. GRS is what major brands now require by default.
Related sourcing topics
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