Alt textiles in Amberg: no changes, but important tips!

The city of Amberg recently published information about the old textile collection and the applicable regulations. Portable clothing can continue to be disposed of in the old clothing containers of the Bavarian Red Cross (BRK) and the Maltese Hilfsdienst (MHD). Unusable, broken or dirty textiles, on the other hand, have to be disposed of in the residual waste. Each municipality is responsible for its own waste disposal concept.

Amberg has been working with the BRK and the MHD for over 30 years to collect old textiles and old shoes. A total of 53 containers are set up in the city at 38 locations in the urban area and at recycling centers. In 2023, 220 tons of old textiles were collected via these containers. It is important to note that a list of the permissible objects that may be thrown into the containers is attached to the containers.

new legal requirements and challenges

Since January 1, 2025, all public disposal institutions have been obliged to record textile waste separately from residual waste. The city is currently examining the further development of the old textile collection in view of new legal requirements and the upcoming end of the contract with BRK and MHD. The market for old textiles is currently difficult and the containers are no longer emptied as reliably. Textile waste for which there are no sales markets could end up in waste incineration or landfill in third countries.

The waste advice recommends to forego extensive sorting this year and prefer to reuse torn textiles in your own household or in the garden. In the long term, the population should critically question the current fast fashion trend. The city will inform the public about changes in the recording and utilization of textile waste as soon as they are established.