Old textile rescue: This is how the recycling system works in Germany!

Old textile rescue: This is how the recycling system works in Germany!

On January 20, 2025, the new EU law will come into force to the separate collection of old textiles. From this date, all used textiles in the EU must be collected separately from residual waste. This regulation aims to drastically reduce the annually burned or deposited textiles and promotes recycling and recycling the used textiles. In Germany, over one million tons of old textiles end up in containers every year, of which only about 50 % are still useful. Only around 10 % of the textiles collected access to the needy, while the rest is further marketed, often outside the EU.

The new requirements require a comprehensive changeover in waste management. In particular, the responsibility for the implementation is primarily with public waste, not only with the consumer. Existing systems of the waste collection are adapted to the new conditions. "We have a functioning system for recycling textile," said a spokeswoman for the Association of Local Company (VKU). Germany already has a high recycling rate of almost 70 %, while the EU average is around 15 %. However, the Association of Local Companies and Fair Rating have warned of misunderstandings that result from false reports.
[rga.de reports that ...]

The current status in Remscheid

in Remscheid were set up by the technical companies Remscheid (TBR) old clothes container at 110 locations. An external partner takes over the collection and sorting of the old textiles. However, it was reported that the storage spaces are full and that the business does not pay off. In 2024, only 366 tons of old clothes were collected, a decline compared to 418 tons in 2023 and 503 tons in 2022. The continuing difficulties in this industry could possibly also be influenced by the effects of Corona pandemic

There has been an increase in commercial collections in Remscheid since 2022. The accumulated old textiles are pre -sorted in Wuppertal and prepared for resale. However, despite these measures, there is a challenge to adequately dispose of broken clothing. Consumers are asked not to put damaged textiles in the old dress containers so as not to overload the existing system.
[ZDF.de emphasizes that ...]

The perspectives for the future

The new EU directive calls for a more fundamental change in consumer behavior. From January 1, 2025, it is unthinkable to dispose of old textiles such as damaged socks or bed linen in residual waste. Instead, these textiles should be given in special containers or recycling centers. In Wiesbaden, for example, existing containers of the Red Cross and the Maltese are used to enable the textiles to be easily returned.

A central point that must be observed is the quality of the old textiles collected. Combating the fast fashion trend, which leads to a flood of inferior items of clothing, is of great importance for the future. There are many open questions about the specific implementation of the separate compulsory collection, and organizers such as the German Red Cross Hesse express skepticism with regard to the financial load -bearing capacity and resources for this new challenge.
[Tagesschau.de reports that ...]