What do we mean by recycled t-shirts?
Firstly, let’s clarify something. That is, what’s meant by ‘recycled’ in terms of blank clothing. When we talk about the best recycled t-shirts for printing, it’s not pre-worn tees. Definitely not second hand city or pre-loved. These shirts haven’t been put on an extended wash cycle and shoved back into circulation. In short, they’re brand new but made from material which has been previously used for another purpose. Or, fabric discarded from the ‘new’ manufacturing process and reused. Rather than thrown away. Further explanation will follow with individual items.
Before we get there, a brief bit about our set-up. For us here at Fifth Column, eco-friendly and ethical printing are part of our core values. Like everyone else, we’re not perfect. But, we try every day to do things in the right way. For instance, our specialisation in customising sustainably sourced blank merchandise. Hence, our interest in the best recycled tees for printing. So, here we are, a selection of the top recycled shirts currently made to be printed. Updated for 2024. By the way, numbers are there for reference rather than ranking.
1. Native Spirit Eco-Friendly Recycled T-Shirt
First up in our 10 best recycled t-shirts for printing we have an interesting new entry. Namely, the Native Spirit Unisex eco-friendly recycled t-shirt (NS310). This shirt has a ‘raw’ appearance and is a straight fit. In terms of fabric, it’s made from 55% pre-consumer recycled cotton and 45% post-consumer recycled polyester. Plus, there’s no label and it’s completely customisable. Definitely, one to consider when looking for recycled tees to print.
2. Stanley Stella RE-Creator Tee
Second, we have an iconic design rebooted in rather attractive recycled style. This Stanley Stella RE-Creator t-shirt (code STTU787) is crafted from in-house reused organic cotton cuttings. Incidentally, we love the colour names for these shirts. RE-black, RE-white and RE-navy are spot on. So simple and distinctive. Yet, memorable and indicative of the real attention to detail in whole the concept.
3. Neutral Recycled Cotton Tee
Next, we have another new one for our 2024 take on the best recycled t-shirts for printing. That is, the Neutral Certified Responsibility recycled cotton t-shirt. It’s a shirt crafted from cotton waste from their own production runs (code C61001). It features tailored sleeves and is slightly fitted at the shoulders with a looser body. So, a nicely versatile garment in terms of blank tees made for customisation.
4. Native Spirit Ladies Terry Towel T Shirt
Fourth, we have one which has to be included on any list of the best ethical t-shirts in the UK. Native Spirit offer a wide range of shirts. All of which are a solid choice if you want quality base garments for eco-friendly t-shirt printing. And this terry towel recycled t-shirt (code NS328) is definitely included in that category. You can’t go far wrong with an organic cotton and post-consumer recycled polyester mix.
5. Native Spirit Men’s Oversize Shirt
How about a fashionably inspired styling given some recycled love? Well, we have the very thing because this Native Spirit Oversize shirt (code NS301) certainly matches that description. That’s to say, the oversized fit and dropped shoulders puts you firmly in on-trend territory. And similar to several other items in this piece, this tee is manufactured from organically grown cotton and pre-consumer recycled cotton.
6. AS Colour Staple Recycled T Shirts
Mid point in our 10 best recycled t-shirts for printing sees another new entry. Specifically, the AS Colour Staple Recycled tee (code 5077). At 200gsm, it’s the sort of weight that’s popular with customs. And the fabric content is an environmentally attractive 80% recycled cotton and 20% recycled polyester. Currently, only two colours but white and black t-shirts are rock solid options for print and embroidery.
7. Result Genuine Recycled Safety Shirt
In certain instances, the idea of a good tee is a combination of sustainable credentials and very specialised requirements. For example, this Result Genuine Recycled Safety Tee (code R502X). Here we have a shirt which meets specific international standards for visibility in high risk working situations. As well as being made from recycled bottles and recyclable at the end of its useful life it helps keep folk safe.
8. Ecologie Ambaro Sports Shirt
These days, sport and active leisure are heavily promoted and increasingly popular. Consequently, there’s a demand for customised sports apparel. Happily, we have recycled options. Such as the textured ladies Ecologie Ambaro recycled sports t-shirt (EA04F). Sustainable fitness wear made entirely from recycled polyester. Again, derived from plastic bottles. By the way, there is also a version for men.
9. Neutral Adult Performance T-Shirts
Those good folk over at Neutral Certified Responsibility also make shirts designed for sport. Another great use of recycled polyester, Neutral adult performance tees are available in male and female fittings (R61001 and R81001 are the respective codes). As well as having a practical quick wick feature, there are appealing colours in each. Now, that leaves no excuse for not being active in sustainable style.
10. Neutral Kids Recycled Performance Tees
Finally in our list of best recycled t-shirts to print we have another new appearance. That is, the Neutral kids recycled tee (code R30001). It’s the junior version of their reclaimed performance t-shirts. With its regular fit and being made from recycled polyester, this shirt is a great option when you want more sustainable children’s sport and activity. And, let’s face it, that’s got to be a good thing.
The best recycled t-shirts for printing.
Okay, that’s about it for this revised look at recycled tees. Nowadays, recycling is only one of the possibilities when it comes to sustainable t-shirts for print and embroidery. And it can only be a positive development that the choice seems set to grow. With more and more garment suppliers switching to organic cotton and also developing alternative fabrics. At Fifth Column, great customised merchandise is a given but it’s better still when the base product is responsibly produced.