From 2025, mandatory separate collection of textile waste. Where to dispose of old clothes and shoes?

Under the provisions of the amendment, from 1 January 2025. each municipality is obliged to organise separate collection of textile wastewhich include, among other things, used clothing and footwear, home textiles (bedding, curtains) and other fabric products. The minimum that municipalities must provide is the possibility of returning all textile waste to the local PSZOK.

At present, there are no top-down plans to introduce an additional sixth bin dedicated exclusively to textile waste or to oblige municipalities to collect this waste fraction from properties. However, municipalities are free to organise additional collection of textile wasteFor example, collecting it directly from households or setting up additional collection points. A similar solution has recently been trialled by the city of Częstochowa, which allows its residents to collect their textile waste free of charge by telephone appointment.

The introduction of an obligation of separate collection of 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 19.11.2008 on waste and repealing certain Directives. Article 11(1) of the Directive obliges all EU Member States to carry out separate collection of at least the following fractions: paper, metal, plastics, glass and textiles. The latter fraction has been compulsorily collected throughout the EU precisely since 1 January 2025.

Let us recall that The European Union continues to work on implementing legislation to increase the efficiency of textile waste collection and impose additional obligations on textile producers, called the extended producer responsibility regime. Under the ROP provisions, textile introducers are to be charged for the costs associated with the collection, segregation and recycling of the waste produced 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 dispose of textiles in the mixed waste bin. Penalties for non-compliance with the new rules or for incorrectly sorting waste can range from 200 to 400% of the basic waste collection fee. It should be noted that these penalties are not a one-off - if residents of the property continue to fail to comply with the statutory obligations, financial penalties may also be charged in subsequent months.

We are already familiar with the mechanism of such penalty fees - similar consequences will also be imposed on us for incorrect sorting of other waste fractions for which separate collection is mandatory (glass, metal and plastics, paper, bio waste). Why are we reminding you of this? Well, a survey we conducted in 2023 showed that only 62% Poles sort waste into all the required fractions, and even fewer, 43%, declare that they can do it correctly. More findings can be found in research report We are getting into trouble.

Contrary to what you might think, since January we have not been obliged to return all used textiles to the PSZOK. Used textiles in good condition can be donate to charities (e.g. PCK, Caritas, single mothers' homes, shelters for the homeless) or dispose of in the second-hand clothes container.

Alternative collection points for textiles are also offered by their manufacturers, giving consumers the opportunity to donate old clothes or shoes in their shops. In most cases, these can be products of any brand, which will then be recycled, upcycled or re-marketed in second-hand shops.

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 implies not only the proper handling of textile waste, but also the prevention of its generation. How can this be done? Discover 5 ways to go green for fashion and a sustainable wardrobe.