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Old clothes container disappeared: Where should the old clothes go?
In Parchim, the number of used clothing containers is falling, while new EU guidelines for the separation of textiles will come into force from 2025.
Old clothes container disappeared: Where should the old clothes go?
In recent years, the image of used clothing containers in northern Germany has changed significantly. There are fewer and fewer of them in the cities, which leaves many people with the choice: throw them away or pass them on? This poses a particular challenge for residents in Sternberg and the surrounding area, because the old clothing containers have virtually disappeared here. Only a single container, hidden behind the main building of the Sternberger Wohnungsbaugesellschaft (Stewo), remains. This belongs to Humana, a social enterprise that sells second-hand textiles in its own shops.
The Nordkurier reports that two additional collection containers in the parking lots of Edeka and Aldi were recently removed. According to a spokesman for the German Red Cross (DRK), no more new containers will be set up. The main reason is the high costs that arise from improper disposal and littering. The prices for waste materials have also fallen sharply, making collection uneconomical.
A look at the numbers
The separate collection of used textiles will be mandatory in Germany from January 1, 2025. In this context, the new EU Waste Framework Directive, which promotes the recycling of used textiles, could play a crucial role. Around 22% of used textiles collected in the EU are currently recorded separately, the rest often ends up in waste incineration or landfills. Every year, over a million tons of old textiles end up in containers in Germany, with only 50% still being usable. This shows the need to question and improve the existing take-back systems.
- 50% der gesammelten Alttextilien sind noch brauchbar
- 10% davon gelangen zu Bedürftigen
- Der Rest wird oft außerhalb der EU vermarktet
- Gegenüber anderen EU-Ländern wie Lettland und Spanien sind die Sammelquoten in Deutschland vergleichsweise hoch
The ZDF points out that less than 1% of used textiles are recycled globally. The discussion about “extended producer responsibility” has begun, in which manufacturers should pay for collection, sorting and recycling. Organizers like the DRK confirm that only well-preserved, wearable clothing, shoes, accessories and home textiles should be included in the clothing collection. Broken or heavily soiled clothing, on the other hand, belongs in the trash.
Alternative delivery options
If you don't want to just throw away your old clothes, you still have alternatives. In the Ludwigslust-Parchim region, for example, most residents adhere to the guidelines for collecting used clothing, so that only 1.84 percent of usable clothing textiles were found in household waste. Recycling centers in Brüel and Kobrow as well as the DRK charity shop in Parchim offer good drop-off options.
It is clear: awareness of sustainability and careful disposal of old textiles is growing, but the challenges remain - for both collectors and recyclers. It remains exciting to see how the landscape of used clothing containers will develop in the coming years.