Textile industry produces a vast amount of waste, so it’s no surprise that the fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world.

Landfills are overflowing with clothing that takes hundreds of years to decompose.

Landfills are overflowing with clothing that takes hundreds of years to decompose. Clothes are made from synthetic materials that are incredibly durable. These materials, such as polyester and nylon do not occur naturally and cannot be broken down by nature. Clothing can take up to 200 years to break down in a landfill.

Germany introduces new textile recycling law

The "Textile Recycling Act" aims to promote the collection, sorting, and recycling of used textiles on a large scale. According to the law, old clothes can no longer simply be thrown in the trash can. Instead, retailers with a sales area of over 800 square meters are required to set up collection containers for used textiles. In addition, consumers can also drop off their old clothes at recycling centers or at dedicated collection points in cities and municipalities. The collected textiles will then be sorted and processed by textile recyclers.

Why is textile recycling so important?

Textile recycling is important because it helps to reduce the amount of clothing that ends up in landfills. Recycling clothes also helps to conserve natural resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The production of new clothing requires a lot of energy and resources, including water, energy, and chemicals. Recycling clothes helps to reduce the demand for new clothing, which in turn helps to reduce the environmental impact of the fashion industry.

How to recycle your old clothes

There are many ways to recycle unwanted textiles. You can send your used clothing to textile recycling companies that specialize in recycling clothes. You can also drop off your old clothes at local donation bins or charity shops. Some brands offer take-back programs where you can return your old pieces in exchange for store credit.

What happens to recycled clothes?

Donated clothes are often sold in secondhand stores or exported to other countries. They can also be used to make new clothing, insulation, or stuffing for furniture. Recycling clothes helps to reduce the environmental impact of the fashion industry and keeps unwanted textiles out of landfills.