Are there recyclable curtain fabrics available in Australia?
Updated
Some curtain fabric ranges use recycled fibres, such as recycled polyester made from recycled plastic bottles, though not every range does. Recycling a finished curtain at the end of its life is more limited, since mixed fibres, linings, hardware and finishes make full textile recycling harder than recycling clean, single fibre material.
Interest in more sustainable curtain fabric has grown, and there are two separate questions worth untangling: whether a new curtain can be made from recycled material, and whether an old curtain can itself be recycled once it is finished with.
Recycled fibre going into new fabric
Recycled polyester, often described as rPET, is one recycled fibre that can be used in curtain fabric, typically made by breaking down recycled plastic such as drink bottles into fibre. Some fabric makers offer recycled polyester ranges, though not every range does, so asking your retailer whether the fabric you like comes in a recycled option is a reasonable starting point.
Recycling a finished curtain
- A finished curtain is a mix of face fabric, lining, thread and sometimes a blockout coating, which makes it harder to recycle as a single clean material than raw fibre.
- Textile recycling options vary by area and by what each one accepts, so your local council is a good place to ask what is available near you.
- Some charities may accept good condition curtains for reuse rather than recycling, but each sets its own rules, so check with them first. Reuse keeps the fabric in use for longer.
Certifications worth asking about
Internationally recognised textile certifications, such as those covering responsible production or recycled content, exist and some suppliers hold them, though not every fabric range carries a certification even if it is made sustainably. If a specific certification matters to you, ask your retailer whether it applies to the fabric being supplied rather than assuming it does.
What to ask your retailer
Ask your retailer whether a recycled fibre option is available in the fabric range you are considering. For an old curtain being replaced, ask your local council about textile recycling services in your area, or consider donation if the curtain is still in good, usable condition. None of this stops a well made curtain simply being kept in use for many years, which remains one of the most practical ways to reduce the impact of any textile product, recycled fibre or not. Checking what a specific fabric range actually offers, rather than assuming a general claim applies to every product in a range, is the more reliable way to judge a sustainability claim.
Other ways people ask this
Is recycled polyester curtain fabric as durable as standard polyester?
It depends on the specific fabric and range. Performance can vary, so ask your retailer for the fabric maker's information on the one you are considering.
Can old curtains be donated instead of thrown away?
Some charities and reuse programs may accept curtains in good, usable condition, but each sets its own rules, so check with them first.
Does every fabric described as eco friendly carry an independent certification?
Not always. It is worth asking your retailer whether a specific certification applies to a fabric rather than assuming an eco friendly description is independently certified.
This answer is general information. For your own windows, your retailer's advice and your order with them come first.