Schwerin relies on the environment: old clothes have to be disposed of now!

Schwerin relies on the environment: old clothes have to be disposed of now!

Schwerin, Deutschland - Schwerin introduced a new environmental measure on January 1, 2025 that affects old clothing. In accordance with a new EU requirement, old textiles will have to be disposed of in the old clothing container in the future in order to promote recycling and reduce textile waste. This means, for example, that disused jeans are no longer allowed to be thrown into residual waste (black bins). According to the German clothing foundation, portable clothing, shoes, accessories and bed linen are allowed in the old clothing containers, but textiles must be clean and in a reusable or recyclable condition.

A spokesman for the Schwerin waste disposal and road cleaning company (SAS) emphasizes the importance of this provision for the efficiency of waste disposal and for minimizing environmental pollution. If the regulation is disregarded, fines between 10 and 20 euros threaten. Local organizations such as the German Red Cross and the Diakoniewerk Kloster Dobbertin are committed to being reused by providing collective containers that are regularly emptied.

EU guidelines for the textile collection

In addition, from the same date in the entire EU, it is required to collect used textiles separately from other waste. The aim of these new EU requirements is to reduce the annual burned or deposited textiles as well as the promotion of reuse and recycling. Germany has an annual amount of over one million tons of old textiles in containers, of which only about 50% are considered useful. Around 10% of these usable textiles come directly to the needy, while the rest are often processed outside the EU.

The collection rate in Germany is estimated to be 50 to 65%, while in other EU countries such as Latvia and Spain is significantly lower (5%or 12%). In order to further improve the recycling, an “extended responsibility of the manufacturer” is discussed, the manufacturers are responsible when it comes to collection, sorting and recycling. Even if the collection rate in Germany is relatively high, the proportion of the old textiles recorded separately in the EU remains at around 22% low. The recycling of old textiles is often difficult because mixed fibers result in a high combustion rate after sorting.

citizens can contribute to sustainability by reducing their consumption and choosing durable products. Clothing and second-hand purchases are mentioned as recommended alternatives to reduce ecological footprint. Further information on the new regulations and recommendations for the disposal of old clothes are at Nordkurier href = "https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/ratgeber/eu-stahltlinien-altkleider-recht-entsorgen-ecycling-100.html"> ZDF

-transmitted by West-East media