Recycled & GRS-certified labels
Woven, printed and care labels made from recycled polyester, plus hang tags on recycled board – produced in our GRS- and OEKO-TEX-certified factory in Bulgaria.
If your garment carries a recycled-content claim, the label sewn into it should not undermine that claim. Polkom is certified to the Global Recycled Standard (GRS) as well as OEKO-TEX, so we can weave and print labels from recycled raw materials in our own factory in Bulgaria and back them with the paperwork your certification body and retail partners ask for. This page explains what GRS covers, which of our labels are available in a recycled version and how to order them.
What the Global Recycled Standard is
GRS is an international, voluntary standard owned by Textile Exchange, a non-profit that sets the rules but does not certify anyone itself. Independent, accredited certification bodies audit each company in the supply chain. GRS is a "full product" standard: besides verifying recycled input, it sets requirements for social practices, environmental management (energy, water, wastewater, waste) and restricted chemicals in processing. Its lighter sibling, the Recycled Claim Standard (RCS), verifies recycled content and chain of custody only.
Recycled content thresholds
Under the current GRS rules, a product needs at least 20% recycled material to be certified, and at least 50% before the GRS logo may appear on the product itself. Both pre-consumer material (for example production waste) and post-consumer material (for example used PET bottles) are accepted, provided they meet the ISO definition of recycled. The recycled share of each of our label constructions is stated on the quote.
Chain of custody
The core of GRS is traceability. Every certified site – recycler, spinner, label manufacturer, garment maker – keeps the recycled material identified and separated from virgin stock. Two documents prove it: a scope certificate shows that a company is certified for certain products and processes, and a transaction certificate confirms that a specific shipment was produced to the standard. Textile Exchange is moving its recycled standards into a new, consolidated Materials Matter Standard over the coming years; valid GRS certificates continue to apply during the transition, and we will keep our documentation aligned.
Which labels can be made from recycled materials
| Label type | Recycled option | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Woven labels (damask, satin, taffeta) | Recycled polyester (rPET) warp and weft yarns | Same looms, densities and folds as virgin polyester; most standard colours available |
| Printed labels | Recycled polyester satin and taffeta tapes | Smooth or crisp face; screen, thermal-transfer or digital print as usual |
| Care and composition labels | Recycled polyester satin or taffeta tape | Wash-resistant print; suits garments with their own recycled claim |
| Size labels | Woven or printed on rPET | Can be produced in the same run as your brand or care labels |
| Hang tags | Recycled paper and board | Kraft or coated recycled board; recycled content confirmed per board grade |
| Strings and loops for tags | Recycled polyester cord on request | Ask us for current colours |
Not every material has a recycled equivalent yet. Silicone, leather and metal trims are made from their usual materials; see our label materials guide for the full range.
Performance compared with virgin materials
Recycled polyester is chemically the same polymer as virgin polyester, so tensile strength, colour fastness and wash durability are equivalent when the yarn is processed correctly. You will not feel a difference in a damask label. Two practical points: recycled yarns come in a defined colour programme, so an exact Pantone match may need a dyed-to-order yarn and a little more time; and the brightest optical whites can look very slightly warmer than virgin white. We show both on the physical sample before production. Edges are cut ultrasonically, exactly as with virgin tapes, so they stay sealed and soft.
OEKO-TEX and GRS together
The two certifications answer different questions. OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 tests the finished material for harmful substances – important for babywear and anything worn next to the skin. GRS verifies where the material came from and how it was processed. A label that carries both gives you a recycled-content story and a skin-safety assurance in one component.
Documentation you can ask for
- A copy of our valid GRS scope certificate, listing the certified products and processes.
- A transaction certificate for your shipment, issued through our certification body, if your own supply chain is certified and needs it.
- A declaration of the recycled share and its type (pre- or post-consumer) for each label construction.
- Our OEKO-TEX certificate for the relevant materials.
Transaction certificates are issued per shipment and must be requested at the time of ordering, not afterwards. Tell us in your quote request if you need one and give us your company's GRS licence details.
For the background on claims, certificates and common pitfalls, read recycled labels and GRS: what brands need to know.
How to order recycled labels
- Send your artwork or logo, the label type and size, and mark "recycled / GRS" in the quote form.
- Our designers prepare a digital proof, typically within 24–48 h – or use our express label design service if you only have a sketch.
- Approve the proof and, if you wish, a physical sample.
- Production typically takes 10–20 working days after approval, with delivery across the EU. The minimum order is usually 1,000 pcs per design.
Planning a recycled collection? Tell us which labels you need and whether you require a transaction certificate. Request a quote
Frequently asked questions
Is Polkom GRS certified?
Yes. Polkom is certified to the Global Recycled Standard (GRS) and OEKO-TEX, so we can produce woven, printed and care labels from recycled polyester and supply a copy of our scope certificate on request.
How much recycled content does a GRS product need?
Under the current GRS rules a product needs at least 20% recycled material to be certified and at least 50% to carry the GRS logo on the product. The recycled share of each of our label constructions is stated on the quote.
Do recycled polyester labels last as long as standard labels?
Yes. Recycled polyester is the same polymer as virgin polyester, so strength, colour fastness and wash durability are equivalent. The main differences are a defined yarn colour programme and slightly warmer optical whites.
Can I get a transaction certificate for my label order?
Yes, if your company is part of a GRS-certified supply chain. Request it with your order and send your licence details; transaction certificates are issued per shipment through our certification body.
Is there a higher minimum order for recycled labels?
No. The minimum order is usually 1,000 pcs per design, the same as for standard labels. Special dyed-to-order recycled yarn colours may need more time, which we confirm on the quote.
Tell us about your labels
Send the label type, size, quantity and your deadline. We usually reply within one working day with a price and a recommendation.
- Usual MOQ 1,000 pcs per design
- Samples before production
- Production 10–20 working days
- Delivery across Europe