Sweden Relaxes Clothing Recycling Rules Amid Treatment Centre Overload

Sweden’s Textile Recycling Changes

Starting this October, Sweden will no longer be required to recycle textiles, despite existing European legislation. The announcement made on May 8, 2024, comes as the government faces overflowing textile waste treatment centers.

New Regulations and Challenges

This change will take effect on October 1. It follows European Union mandates for member states to establish separate textile recycling systems alongside those for glass, paper, and organic waste. The initiative aims to enhance circular waste management, which involves sorting, reusing, or recycling textiles into materials like insulation and padding.

However, recycling facilities in Sweden are struggling to manage the influx. “Since the start of this year, the amount of collected textile waste has surged significantly, leading to rising sorting costs,” the Swedish government stated.

Sorting Guidelines and Future Prospects

Under the new regulations, guidelines will clarify which textiles need to be sorted and which can be discarded directly, such as heavily worn items and stained fabrics. Environment Minister Romina Purmokhtari spoke with reporters about these upcoming changes.

Humana Sverige, a key organization specializing in the collection and resale of used clothing, reported a “dramatic increase” in textile donations. To cope with the growing volume, it plans to close 600 of its 1,300 collection points, citing it as “impossible” to manage the current supply.

Broader Implications for the Sector

This issue extends beyond Sweden. Humana Sverige noted that damaged clothing is being sent to sorting facilities throughout Europe, which are also overwhelmed by the new legislation. The challenges facing the textile recycling industry highlight ongoing struggles to adapt to shifting regulations and increasing waste.