If you've been shopping for sustainable activewear or swimwear, you've probably come across the term "GRS certified" on product pages and hang tags. But what does GRS certification actually mean — and how do you know it's more than a marketing label?
This guide covers everything you need to know: what the Global Recycled Standard covers, how it's verified, how it compares to GOTS certification, and what it means when you see it on a TURTLEGROOVE product.
What is GRS Certification?
GRS stands for Global Recycled Standard. It's an international third-party certification that verifies recycled content in a product — and crucially, it doesn't just verify the final product. It traces the recycled material through every stage of production, from the raw recycled input right through to the finished garment.
The standard is owned and managed by Textile Exchange, a global non-profit that sets best practices for responsible fibre and materials use in the textile industry.
GRS certification covers: - Recycled content verification — the percentage of recycled material in a product is independently confirmed, not self-declared - Chain of custody — every business handling the certified material (spinner, knitter, dyer, garment manufacturer) must also be GRS certified - Social requirements — certified facilities must meet minimum standards for worker welfare, including safe working conditions and fair treatment - Environmental requirements — certified facilities must have an environmental management system and meet standards for wastewater, chemical use, and emissions - Chemical restrictions — restricted substances lists apply throughout the supply chain
What Materials Does GRS Cover?
GRS is not limited to polyester. It certifies recycled content across a range of materials, including:
- Recycled polyester (rPET) — the most common, typically made from post-consumer plastic bottles
- Recycled nylon
- Recycled cotton
- Recycled wool
- Recycled down
For activewear and swimwear specifically, recycled polyester is by far the most relevant. Most sustainable leggings, sports bras, swim shorts, and bikinis are made from rPET — polyester fibre derived from melted-down plastic bottles. GRS certification means that recycled content claim has been independently verified.
GRS vs GOTS: What's the Difference?
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and GRS are often mentioned together in sustainable fashion but they cover fundamentally different things.
| GOTS | GRS | |
|---|---|---|
| What it certifies | Organic natural fibres (cotton, wool, etc.) | Recycled content (polyester, nylon, cotton, etc.) |
| Raw material | Organically grown — no pesticides, GMOs | Post-consumer or pre-consumer recycled material |
| Chain of custody | Yes — covers entire supply chain | Yes — covers entire supply chain |
| Chemical standards | Comprehensive — restricted substances list | Yes — restricted substances list |
| Social standards | Yes | Yes |
| Verification | Independent third-party audit | Independent third-party audit |
In short: if a product is made from organic cotton, look for GOTS. If it's made from recycled polyester or recycled nylon, look for GRS. The two certifications are complementary — a brand like TURTLEGROOVE that offers both organic cotton and recycled activewear needs both.
How Do You Verify a GRS Certificate?
This is important — you shouldn't have to take a brand's word for it. GRS certificates are publicly searchable.
Go to global-standard.org and search for the fabric or yarn supplier named on a brand's product page or sustainability documentation. If the certification is valid, it will appear with a certificate number and expiry date.
For TURTLEGROOVE's recycled activewear and swimwear, the GRS certification is held at the fabric and yarn supplier level — the same structure as our GOTS certification for organic cotton. The recycled content claim is third-party verified, not a marketing statement.
Why Does GRS Certification Matter for Activewear?
The activewear category has a significant sustainability problem. Most leggings, sports bras, and swimwear are made from virgin polyester — a petroleum-derived synthetic that takes centuries to break down, sheds microplastic fibres in the wash, and requires significant energy to produce.
Recycled polyester (rPET) addresses some of these issues: it reduces demand for virgin petroleum, diverts plastic bottles from landfill and ocean waste streams, and typically has a lower carbon footprint than virgin polyester production.
But "recycled" without certification is easy to claim and hard to verify. GRS certification is what separates verified recycled content from marketing language. Without it, a product labelled "made with recycled materials" could contain as little as 5% recycled content.
What TURTLEGROOVE Products Carry GRS Certification?
Our activewear, swimwear, leggings, sports bras, and crop tops are made from GRS-certified recycled materials — primarily recycled polyester derived from post-consumer plastic bottles. This includes:
- Women's Recycled Leggings
- Women's Recycled Sports Bras
- Women's Sustainable Swimwear
- Men's Recycled Swim Shorts
For our organic cotton range — hoodies, sweatshirts, and t-shirts — the relevant certification is GOTS. You can read more in our guide: What is GOTS Certification?
For a full overview of our supply chain and certification documentation, visit our sustainability page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does GRS stand for? GRS stands for Global Recycled Standard. It's an international certification that independently verifies recycled content in textiles and other materials, covering the entire supply chain from raw recycled input to finished product.
Is GRS the same as GOTS? No. GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certifies organic natural fibres like cotton and wool. GRS certifies recycled content like recycled polyester and recycled nylon. They cover different materials and are often used by brands that offer both product types.
How can I verify a GRS certificate? GRS certificates are publicly searchable at global-standard.org. Search for the brand's fabric or yarn supplier to confirm the certificate is valid and current.
Does GRS certification mean a product is 100% recycled? Not necessarily. GRS sets minimum thresholds for recycled content (typically 20% for the GRS label, 50% or more for "GRS certified" claims on product labels). The actual percentage will be stated on the product or in the brand's documentation.
Does GRS recycled polyester still shed microplastics? Yes — recycled polyester can still shed microplastic fibres in the wash, similar to virgin polyester. GRS addresses the sourcing and production impact, not the end-of-life shedding issue. Using a microplastic-catching laundry bag is still recommended for any synthetic garment.
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