What is the Global Recycle Standard (GRS)?
Il Global Recycle Standard (GRS) establishes requirements for the certification of products made from recycled materials. The certification covers the entire production chain, from the sourcing of raw materials to the final product, ensuring that every step of the process meets rigorous environmental and social criteria. GRS certification standards include:
- Composition of Materials: At least 20% of the product must be made from recycled materials. However, for the use of the GRS logo on the product, at least 50% recycled content is required.
- Traceability: Ensure transparency throughout the entire supply chain by verifying the origin and flow of recycled materials used in production.
- Environmental Treatment: Establish sustainable environmental management practices, including measures to reduce environmental impact and responsible use of resources.
- Social responsability: Ensure safe and dignified working conditions for workers, respecting fundamental human rights and promoting socially responsible practices.
- Management of Chemical Products: Rigorous control of the chemicals used in the production process to minimize environmental impact and ensure the safety of workers and consumers.
The GRS certification process involves regular inspections and independent verification to ensure that standards are met at every stage of production.
Benefits of GRS Certification
- Transparency and Traceability: Ensures that recycled materials are effectively used and tracked throughout the entire supply chain.
- Environmental sustainability: Promotes the use of recycled materials, thus reducing the need for virgin raw materials and overall environmental impact.
- Social responsability: Ensures that workers' rights are respected and that working conditions are safe and dignified.
- Management of Chemical Substances: Imposes rigorous controls on the chemicals used, reducing risks to the environment and human health.
- Credibility and Trust: Provides consumers with an independent guarantee on the origin and sustainability of the products they purchase.
Certification Global Recycle Standard (GRS) it is therefore an important tool for promoting sustainability in the textile sector, ensuring that products are made in an environmentally and socially responsible way.
GRS Certification Standard
Certification GRS it is applicable to products composed of at least the 20% recycled fiber.
A relatively low value to speak of circular fashion when we are faced with a fiber GRS certified. Unfortunately, as consumers, we cannot know the exact percentage of recycled material present in the product, since this is not indicated on the label.
Certification Global Recycle Standard guarantees that a variable percentage from 20% to 100% of the product is made using recycled materials, such as:
- Recycled cotton
- Recycled wool
- Recycled polyester
- Recycled polyamide
- Recycled leather
Usually, certification Global Recycle Standard is applied to the yarn or fabric. For example, i synthetic fabrics Econyl e New Life they both have the GRS certificate. Econyl comes from the recycling of fishing nets recovered from the oceans, industrial waste and disused carpets, while NewLife comes from plastic bottles collected from separate waste collection.
Despite being synthetic fibers with limitations from an environmental point of view, especially related to the release of microplastics during washing, we can consider them ecological as:
- They derive from the recycling of resources that would otherwise be destined for incinerators or left in nature.
- They respect the regulation REACH since they are produced in Europe.
- They have the certification GRS as they are made from recycled materials.
- They have the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification.
Le alternatives to plastic they are numerous and today we could already do without many synthetic materials, but it is equally true that we have produced so much plastic waste that burning it would make no sense. We must consider this waste as a primary resource.
Since these materials are present today and will be for many years to come, the most rational solution is to stop producing virgin materials and make the most of our waste, where possible.
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GRS for resource recycling and the circular economy
Given the environmental pollution that afflicts our planet and the growing need for primary resources due to the increase in population, the recycling of resources becomes fundamental to safeguard future generations.
We must therefore develop efficient circular economy models:
Some scientific studies show how, over time, the world population consumes more resources than the Earth can offer us (see Earth Overshoot Day).
Excessive consumption of resources does not occur in developing countries, but in industrialized countries like ours. Now try to imagine what would happen if less developed countries started consuming like us.
Events like the Earth Day they involve millions of people and dozens of nations around the world, and were created precisely to raise awareness of topics such as environmental pollution and saving natural resources. Even characters like Greta Thunberg don't speak "nonsense"; we should simply listen to what they have to say.
Sponsor certifications such as the Global Recycle Standard, as well as promoting resource recycling practices, correct waste separation and a sustainable lifestyle, is one of our primary objectives. While these certifications aren't always perfect, they still represent a big step towards a more sustainable future.
Global Recycle Standard for Companies
Are you a producer? You want to get certified Global Recycle Standard and apply the GRS logo on your products? Then you must contact the certifying body for the Italian market: ICEA - Institute for Ethical and Environmental Certification
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