Recycled polyester (RPET) has gained popularity among brands looking for sustainable alternatives to traditional polyester. However, the proliferation of fake RPET products has become more widespread with this growth. To address this issue, Waste2Wear has developed a method to detect and quantify the recycled PET content from plastic bottles in textile samples.
With the development of better recycling technologies, the difference between virgin and recycled polyester is indistinguishable to the naked eye in terms of look, quality and hand-feel. This has made it possible for unscrupulous suppliers to sell regular polyester as recycled creating significant challenges for unsuspecting brands that offer their products with claims of sustainability through recycling.
To combat this malpractice, in 2019 Waste2Wear developed The Recycling Assurance three step testing method (RA-3) which is a patent-pending chemical testing method that dentifies if yarn, fiber or fabric is made from recycled plastic bottles and to what percentage.
The method has been developed by Waste2Wear refining it over the course of several years. Subsequently, this methodology underwent thorough scrutiny and validation by Wessling, a reputable testing company from Germany, establishing its credibility in accurately quantifying the recycled PET bottle content within RPET textiles. Wessling maintains oversight over the tests conducted within the Waste2Wear laboratory, issuing independent third-party reports to ensure transparency and reliability.
All Waste2Wear fabrics come with RA-3 certification, reinforced by our unique blockchain technology, offering a double layer of assurance that our products are genuinely made of recycled materials. The RA-3 testing service is accessible to companies worldwide, providing conclusive verification of the recycled content in their RPET fabrics.
With RA-3 testing, you can rest assured that you are delivering RPET as per your order specifications. By substantiating that your materials are derived from recycled plastic bottles and specifying the RPET percentage, you ensure that your recycled content aligns seamlessly with your brand and retail communications.
For more information about testing costs and the application process, please send an e-mail to: ra-3testing@waste2wear.com
Sven Bleekemolen is a Dutch entrepreneur and textile engineer. He is a versatile executive with a broad skill set and experience in a global marketplace. Lived and worked in Europe, Indonesia, and Turkey. Solid expertise in management of start-up to mature fashion companies in competitive wholesale and retail markets.
In his role as director of several companies, Sven built strong knowledge of international wholesale, retail, B2B sales, production and brand development. He has a strategic and innovative mindset, always focused on business development. He has a record of identifying opportunities and leading diverse teams to surpass revenue goals.
Sven has a strong focus on sustainability and is excited to discover the possibilities that lie in Waste2Wear’s groundbreaking material and blockchain technologies. He is committed to creating a major contribution to the business performance of Waste2Wear along with the transition to a more circular economy for a better outcome of the world.
Stefan Kleijkamp is a highly experienced Global Quality and Compliance Manager with over 15 years of experience in the industry. Originally from the Netherlands, Stefan has spent the last two decades working in Asia, with 17 of those years in China. He is fluent in Chinese and has worked with a wide range of product groups including textile, apparel, hard goods and plastics. Throughout his career, Stefan has held positions in quality and compliance management for both large and medium sized companies, as well as in purchasing and logistics. His extensive experience has given him a deep understanding of the challenges and issues facing the industry, particularly in relation to traceability of recycled materials such as textile, cotton and polyester. With his expertise in quality and compliance, Stefan is dedicated to ensuring that the products and services provided by Waste2Wear meet the highest standards in quality, sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Monique Maissan is a Dutch entrepreneur and textile engineer specializing in sustainable solutions for the industry. As CEO and founder of Waste2Wear, she leads a committed team in creating products and services for a better future. Her vision has driven the company to produce fabrics and products made from recycled plastic bottles (RPET) and recycled polypropylene (RPP) plus award winning blockchain and RPET verification test RA-3.
Monique has won several industry awards, most recently:
Finalist of “Future Leader” World Sustainability Awards 2022;
“Outstanding Achiever” of Global Green Economic Forum, Women Eco Game Changer Awards 2022;
“Woman Leader in Plastic Recycling” Plastic Recycling Conference Asia** 2022;
“The Sustainable Entrepreneur of the Year” of Entrepreneurs’ Organization*** 2021.
She is constantly on the lookout for new and better ways to recycle more plastic. Monique’s drive comes from her determination to do her part to leave this world in a better place for her two adult children and all of the next generation
