Customers read the main label more closely than any other part of the garment. When that label sits in a jacket made from recycled polyester, it is the natural place for the sustainability story to continue.
We are a GRS-certified label manufacturer, producing woven and printed labels from recycled polyester in our own production in Bulgaria. This article explains how the Global Recycled Standard works for trims, which documents matter and how to describe recycled labels accurately.
Why trims belong in the story
Fabric gets most of the attention in a recycled collection, but buyers and procurement teams audit the full bill of materials: labels, care tapes, hang tags and strings included. Switching labels to recycled content is one of the simplest steps a brand can take, because recycled yarns and tapes weave, print and wash just like their conventional counterparts. The result is a product that tells one consistent story from fabric to finishing.
Accurate wording carries the claim
European rules on environmental claims have become much stricter. Directive (EU) 2024/825 restricts generic phrases such as “eco-friendly” or “green” unless they are backed by recognised environmental performance, and limits sustainability labels to certification schemes or those set by public authorities. The approach that works is specific and documented:
- describe exactly what is recycled, for example “main label woven from recycled polyester”;
- keep evidence for every statement;
- describe each component on its own merits.
This is general guidance rather than legal advice, so check final wording with your compliance adviser.
The Global Recycled Standard in brief
GRS is a voluntary international standard owned by Textile Exchange, which writes the rules, while independent accredited certification bodies carry out the audits. Beyond recycled content, certified sites must meet social and environmental requirements and chemical restrictions. Its companion, the Recycled Claim Standard (RCS), covers recycled content and chain of custody only.
| Requirement | Current GRS rule |
|---|---|
| Minimum recycled content for certification | 20% |
| Minimum recycled content to use the GRS logo on product | 50% |
| Eligible material | Pre- and post-consumer, meeting the ISO definition of recycled |
| On-product claims | Approved by an accredited certification body |
Textile Exchange has announced a move towards a consolidated Materials Matter Standard over the coming years, with a transition period for existing certificates, so check the current rules when planning a long-running programme.
Following the material from bottle to label
- Recycler: turns waste such as PET bottles into flakes or chips, certified for that input.
- Spinner: produces recycled polyester yarn and keeps it separate from virgin yarn.
- Label manufacturer: that is our role. We weave or print with certified yarn or tape, track quantities and keep recycled and conventional production apart.
- Garment maker: sews the labels in and keeps records.
- Brand: communicates the claim to consumers following the claims rules.
The identity of the recycled material must be preserved at every step, and products must be certified up to the seller in the last business-to-business transaction.
Two certificates, two different jobs
A scope certificate confirms that a company is certified for certain products and processes over a period. You can verify it in Textile Exchange’s public database, and it is your first check when choosing a supplier. It does not prove that a particular delivery was recycled.
A transaction certificate covers a specific shipment and its quantities, and states whether the input was pre- or post-consumer. It is issued per shipment through the supplier’s certification body, so the right moment to request it is when you place the order. Put it in your purchase order and we will prepare it with the delivery.
Recycled labels in certified and non-certified garments
If the garment itself is GRS certified, its labels and trims form part of the product. How trims count towards recycled content, and whether they must be certified, follows the standard and its claims guidance, so confirm with your certification body before sampling. Many brands simply make every textile trim recycled: it keeps the bill of materials clear and lets the label carry the same message as the fabric.
Where the garment is not certified, a recycled label can still be described precisely, for example on a hang tag: “Main label woven from recycled polyester”. The statement then describes the label alone.
A simple habit for audits
Keep one sheet listing every component with its material and evidence: fabric, lining, main label, care tape, hang tag, string. It speeds up audits and shows at a glance which parts of a claim are fully documented.
What we offer
- Woven and printed labels in GRS-certified recycled polyester.
- Scope certificate on request and transaction certificates per shipment.
- OEKO-TEX certified materials and Pantone colour matching on recycled yarns.
- Samples before production, with production typically in 10–20 working days after approval and delivery across the EU.
Read more about label materials, explore woven labels, care labels and hang tags, or ask for our GRS documents.
Are recycled polyester labels as durable as conventional ones?
Yes. Recycled yarns and tapes weave, print and wash in the same way, so the finished labels perform like their conventional equivalents.
When should I ask for a GRS transaction certificate?
When you place the order. Transaction certificates are issued per shipment, so include the request in your purchase order.
Can I use the GRS logo on my garment?
Logo use requires at least 50% recycled content and approval by an accredited certification body. Check with your certifier before printing it.
Can my recycled label colours match my brand Pantone?
Yes. We match Pantone references on recycled yarns using the same process as for conventional yarns.
