Locations for Textile Waste Disposal

the netherlands

Most municipalities have textile containers where you can drop off clothes and textiles. Municipalities can use charitable or commercial organisations to carry out the collection, which is done by 80%. Only clothing contaminated with oil or paint, plus mattresses, duvets, pillows and carpets will be refused. In general, collectors tend to not specifically ask for non-reusable textiles, but they are required to accept them by the municipalities. If the municipality does not have textile containers, textiles can be taken to the recycling centre. Clothes that can still be worn can be taken to thrift stores or charity shops for free. Most thrift stores will also pick up items from consumers’ homes. As of 2024, producers and importers are responsible for the textile waste collection, as part of a new EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) regulation. The organisation Stichting UPV Textiel will organise the collection for the producers. 

further resources:

○ Where can I hand in old clothes and textiles?
○ Handing in clothing, textiles and shoes- Environment Central
○ Recycling centres – City of Amsterdam
○ Seperating waste: Textiles – The Hague
○ Waste guide – Rotterdam
○ Article – New Dutch rules for waste management, recycling and reuse of textile products