In Germany, approximately 1.3 million tonnes of used textiles are generated annually, yet the reuse rate fell from 62 to 44 per cent between 2018 and 2023. Buttons, rivets, zips, and other elements can make recycling much harder as they are difficult to separate. As a result, circular materials and product designs that support recycling are becoming increasingly important.
The Federal Association for Secondary Raw Materials and Waste Disposal (German abbr. bvse) believes the textile industry is currently at a crossroads: sorting, transport and disposal costs are continuously rising and correspond to falling revenues from second-hand clothing. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is intended to ensure more stable funding for future collection, sorting and recycling.
The association is also calling for:
- 30 per cent textile-to-textile recycled content in new products
- Proof of industrial recyclability prior to sale
- Better material information via a digital product passport
- More efficient sorting processes for reusable and recyclable textiles
Circularity is increasingly becoming an issue of product development, costs and competitiveness. Companies that design their products and materials for recycling today will be better prepared for future rules and market changes. trade-e-bility is happy assist you and will make a suitable offer.
