From 2025 obligation to selectively collect textile waste. Where to throw away old clothes and shoes?

According to the provisions of the amendment, from 1 January 2025, each commune is required to organise selective collection of textile waste , which includes, among others, used clothing and footwear, home textiles (bedding, curtains) and other fabric products. The minimum that local governments must ensure is the possibility of returning all textile waste to the local PSZOK . Currently, there are no plans to introduce an additional, sixth container intended exclusively for textile waste or to oblige communes to collect this fraction of waste from properties. However, communes have the freedom to organise additional methods of collecting textile waste , e.g. collecting it directly from households or creating additional collection points. Częstochowa has recently been testing a similar solution, which allows its residents to return textile waste free of charge after arranging a collection date by phone.

The introduction of the obligation to selectively collect textile waste results from the transposition into Polish law of the provisions of Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 on waste and repealing certain directives. Article 11 paragraph 1 of the directive obliges all EU Member States to conduct selective collection of at least the following fractions: paper, metal, plastics, glass and textiles. The latter fraction is mandatory throughout the EU from 1 January 2025. Let us recall that the European Union is still working on the implementation of legislation to increase the effectiveness of textile waste collection and impose additional obligations on textile producers, known as the extended producer responsibility system. Under the provisions of the EPR, those introducing textiles are to be charged with the costs related to the collection, segregation and recycling of waste generated from them.

Selective collection of textile waste means new obligations not only for municipalities, but also for their residents. From the new year , it is prohibited to throw textiles into the mixed waste bin . Penalties for failure to comply with the new rules or for incorrect waste sorting can amount to 200 to 400% of the basic waste collection fee. It should be emphasized that these penalties are not one-off – if the residents of the property continue to fail to comply with the statutory obligations, financial penalties may also be charged in the following months. The mechanism for calculating such penalty fees is already well known to us – similar consequences will also be faced for incorrect sorting of other waste fractions for which there is an obligation to selectively collect (glass, metal and plastics, paper, bio-waste). Why do we remind you of this? Well, a study conducted by us in 2023 showed that only 62% of Poles segregate waste into all the required fractions, and even fewer, 43%, declare that they can do it correctly. You will find more conclusions in the report from the research We are getting into trouble .

Contrary to appearances, since January we are not obliged to return all used textiles to PSZOK. Used textiles in good condition can be donated to charities (e.g. PCK, Caritas, single mothers’ homes, homeless shelters) or thrown into a container for used clothing . Alternative textile collection points are also offered by their manufacturers , giving consumers the opportunity to return old clothes or shoes to their stores. In most cases, these can be products of any brand, which will then be recycled, upcycled or reintroduced to sale in second-hand stores. As representatives of the waste and recycling industry, we strongly encourage you to act in the spirit of our idea Together for a world without waste, which involves not only proper handling of textile waste, but also preventing its generation. How to do it? Discover 5 ways for ecological fashion and a sustainable wardrobe .