Textile waste must be collected separately

Starting January 1, 2025, you will no longer be allowed to dispose of items such as clothes, curtains, and other interior textiles in the "regular garbage bag" or general waste. Instead, textile waste must be deposited at specific locations designated for this purpose.

For many years, almost all municipalities in Sweden have collaborated with volunteer organizations that provide containers at recycling centers, recycling stations, or public spaces where textiles can be donated for reuse. Textiles suitable for reuse should primarily be taken to such locations, second-hand shops, or other reuse facilities, rather than being handled by municipal waste services.

Many municipalities take the opportunity to collect textiles for reuse and textile waste in the same place. This often includes one container for reusable textiles and one or more containers for textile waste.

Important points to consider:

• Textile waste should be clean and dry to ensure it can be reused or recycled without damaging other textiles.
• Your municipality determines where and how you should dispose of textile waste. In some cases, textiles must be placed loose in the collection container, while in others, they should be placed in a double-knotted plastic bag.
• Textile waste contaminated with engine oil or other hazardous substances should be sorted and disposed of as hazardous waste instead.

The purpose of this new requirement is to promote a more circular handling of textile waste, increasing reuse and recycling. Instead of incinerating textile waste, it can often be reused and resold. If the textiles are damaged or worn out, they may potentially be recycled for materials. Textile waste should be viewed as a resource.