An Application of the MARCOS Method Within the Framework of Sustainability to Determine the Optimum Recycled Fibre-Containing Fabric

This study aims to determine the best fabric structure containing recycled fibre for a daily use summer t-shirt considering the physical and comfort properties through a multi-criteria decision making methodology. Herein, 12 cotton fabric and 12 polyester fabric structures contained different blend ratios of virgin fibre, recycled fibre and elastane were generated. Alternatives were tested according to the 10 criteria assessed by 20 experts and were ranked Measurement of Alternatives and Ranking according to the Compromise Solution (MARCOS) method. The air permeability and mass per unit area were weighted as the two most important criteria. Supportively, 80/20% BCI Co/ r-Co blended fabric (A11) among cotton alternatives, 100% r-PET blended fabric (A21) among polyester alternatives were ranked as the best fabric alternatives providing desired test results. Furthermore, it was determined that composition ratios of the fabric had no direct effect on ranking. This study proved that MARCOS method is a convenient and useful tool under the conditions of finite alternatives and conflicting criteria.