The use of recycled and recyclable textiles in the design industry is a trend that’s great for the environment, but the increasing availability of these materials is also providing designers a way to experiment with new textures and tactile qualities. In rugs, upholstery, and even lighting, green fabrics are inspiring new collections that are both sustainable and stylish:

In-Ei by Artemide: A project based on a re-treated fiber made with recycled PET bottles, In-Ei is Japanese for "shadow, shadiness, nuance." The fabric diffuses light in unique ways, inspiring Issey Miyake and Reality Lab to develop a unique fabric-folding process using a mathematical program with 3-D geometric principals by Jun Mitani. This new collaboration with Artemide couples the company’s lighting expertise with the Lab's innovative approach to the material.

Textile by Gandía Blasco: Inspired by fashion, Ana Llobet’s designed the chair’s contrasting stitching to add to its ergonomic quality. The seat is made of 100 percent recyclable polyethylene and stitched with high tenacity polyester braided rope. www.gandiablasco.com

Upcycled TShirt Rug by Joedega: Handmade in Brooklyn from 30 to 40 T-shirts, the soft, machine-washable rugs are 2 1/2 by 3 1/2 feet, adding a splash of color beneath sinks or beside a bed. www.aelfie.com

Tutu by Zero: Designed by Iskos-Berlin for Zero, Tutu’s large drum shade is made of polyester felt produced with fiber derived from recycled plastic bottles. Preheated mats of felt are pressed into a mold that loosely forms them, but leaves much of the draped shape to chance, making each shade unique. This method requires no subsequent trimming, and eliminates waste and surface treatments. www.zero.se

Pillow by Karl Andersson: A sound-absorbing cushion system made of materials including recycled textiles and PET plastic bottles, Pillow can be covered in a range of stretch fabric and is available with or without decorative buttons. The systems hangs on a metal rail fastened to the wall. www.karl-andersson.se