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What changes with the new mandatory separate collection of waste, and what remains the same?
Since the beginning of the year, the separate collection of textile waste has been mandatory . However, its implementation is raising questions in many places. The Darmstadt Regional Council (RP) is now providing information on the current regulations and clarifying misunderstandings.
Heavily soiled or worn out? Residual waste is still permitted
For residents: Well-preserved clothing should still be placed in the used clothing collection ; worn or heavily soiled textiles may – as before – disposed of in the residual waste bin , provided no separate collection facility is available . Public waste management authorities are not obligated to ensure comprehensive separate collection for all types of textiles, but may establish their own collection systems.
Utilization only in proportion to benefit
The new regulation is based on the Circular Economy Act and the EU Waste Framework Directive. Its aim is to promote the reuse and recycling of textiles. However, the waste collection is not absolute , but only mandatory if it proportionate – that is, if the effort is in reasonable relation to the environmental benefit.
Recycling is hardly possible so far
One reason for the limitation is the current lack of sophisticated recycling processes that the high-quality recycling of textile fibers in large quantities . Furthermore, a large proportion of clothing – particularly due to the fast fashion – is of inferior quality and hardly recyclable. Demand for recycled fibers is also currently low. Therefore, comprehensive sorting would be expensive and offer only limited ecological benefits.
Background: Significant environmental impact from textiles
According to the German Federal Environment Agency, textile consumption is one of the biggest burdens on water, land, and climate. Every second, a truckload of clothing is landfilled or incinerated in Europe . The new legislation aims to help reverse this trend – within a realistic and feasible framework.
The Darmstadt Regional Council (RP Darmstadt) acts as the supervisory authority for the implementation in southern Hesse and supports municipalities and waste disposal companies with advice and information.
Further information:
👉 FAQ on the separate collection of textile waste – BMUV
