As we’re all living on this Earth, we share the same responsibility of protecting the planet we are living in. In fact, the textile industry plays a significant role in minimizing its impacts on the environment, as it is a major polluter. It is required that all businesses in the industry take measures to protect the environment, including maximizing resource utilization and recycling fabric products. Hence, the Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) was developed to ensure these factors.
1.What is the Recycled Claim Standard?
The Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) is an international standard for recycled fabrics developed by the Textile Exchange organization and the Outdoor Industry Association Working Group on Sustainable Material Origin, which was created in 2013. RCS was developed to ensure that recycled fabric products are produced to the highest environmental and social protection standards.
This standard requires companies to comply with strict standards for the use of materials, production processes, and quality control of recycled products. These standards include ensuring the origin of recycled materials, minimizing water, energy, and emissions, ensuring safety for workers during production, and ensuring that recycled products meet quality standards.
2.The purpose of the Recycled Claim Standard
Specifically, the RCS standard has the following objectives:
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Ensure transparency and reliability: RCS ensures that recycled fabric products are produced to the highest standards and that information on the origin and production process of the product is fully provided, accurate, and transparent.
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Reduce negative environmental impacts: RCS ensures that recycled fabric products are produced to the highest environmental protection standards, helping to minimize negative impacts on the environment from the textile industry.
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Reduce social impacts: RCS ensures that recycled fabric products are produced to the highest social protection standards, protecting the rights of workers and ensuring safe, healthy, and fair working conditions.
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Increase the feasibility of recycling: RCS ensures that recycled fabric products are produced to the highest quality and consistency standards, increasing the feasibility of fabric recycling and reducing waste.