Repair & ReuseLjubljanaBled STICT: circular textile challenge with international expertsTackling tourism's textile footprint Under the EU STICT (Sustainable Textiles In Circular Tourism) project, EBM partnered with the municipality of Bled and international sustainability experts to explore solutions for the environmental and economic impacts of textiles in a tourism-heavy destination. The initiative investigates sustainable sourcing, collection, and reuse of textiles across hotels, venues, and local businesses in the Bled area. What the project explores - Environmental footprint of hotel linen and event textiles - Collection and redistribution systems for reusable or recyclable textiles - Policy levers municipalities can use to shift procurement How to engage - Follow EBM for workshops and findings as the STICT project publishes results - If you manage a venue near Bled, ask EBM about participation in the textile audit pilot Why it matters Tourism destinations generate disproportionate textile waste. Bled's participation in STICT means findings apply directly to one of Slovenia's most visited areas: making lessons replicable for every European resort town. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. - Project: STICT - Sustainable Textiles In Circular Tourism - Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th editiontextilescirculartourismsustainability
Repair & ReuseSilvesSilves: Portugal's first separate stream for sanitary textiles and diapersA collection pilot the rest of Portugal is watching Silves, an Algarve municipality, became the first in Portugal to collect sanitary textiles and diapers as a dedicated separate waste stream: a hygiene category that normally ends up in residual waste and goes straight to landfill or incineration. The pilot, supported by ZERO, forms part of Silves's broader door-to-door collection overhaul in the Algarve region. Why it matters Diapers and sanitary textiles make up a significant share of household residual waste, yet they usually ride straight to landfill in mixed bins. Silves is Portugal's first dedicated collection pilot, a reference case other municipalities can copy once results are in. What you can do - If you live in Silves, ask the municipal environment office how to access the dedicated collection point or service - Advocate for this stream in your own municipality by sharing Silves's results with local councillors - Follow ZERO for policy developments around this waste stream nationally Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. - National coordinator: ZERO – Associação Sistema Terrestre Sustentável - Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th editiontextilesdiaperswaste-streampilot
Repair & ReuseBrusselsSTICT: replicating textile waste prevention in BrusselsA city learning from the best textile programmes in Europe Brussels is participating in the STICT project (Sustainable Textile Innovation and Circular Transition), which compiles best-practice models for textile waste prevention and management and works with cities to implement and replicate them. Zero Waste Belgium leads the Brussels partnership, bringing evidence-based strategies to local authorities and businesses. What the project does - Documents the most effective textile collection, repair, and resale models from across Europe - Works with Brussels authorities to implement scalable textile waste prevention measures - Provides a replication toolkit so other cities can adopt proven approaches without starting from scratch - Connects local repair workshops, clothing swaps, and upcycling organisations into the city's circular textile network How to engage - Brussels residents: find local textile repair workshops and clothing swap events through Zero Waste Belgium - Textile businesses and retailers in Brussels: contact Zero Waste Belgium about participating in the STICT circular model - Other municipalities: request the STICT replication toolkit to adapt the Brussels approach to your context Why it matters Textiles are among the fastest-growing waste streams in Europe. Brussels joining STICT means a dense, fashion-forward city is building infrastructure for repair and reuse: sending a signal to the industry and giving residents real alternatives to disposal. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. - Lead: Zero Waste Belgium + STICT project partners - Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th editiontextilesreusepreventioncircularrepair
Repair & ReuseWarsawPoland: mandatory textile separate collection from January 2025Used clothes now have their own bin: municipalities need to keep up Poland introduced mandatory separate collection of textile waste from 1 January 2025: a legal obligation for municipalities to provide dedicated textile collection infrastructure. The Polish Zero Waste Association is supporting municipalities in building education campaigns and collection systems to meet the new requirement, which affects how residents discard old clothing, fabric, and accessories. What the obligation means - Municipalities must provide clearly marked textile collection points or door-to-door collection for used clothing and fabric - Retailers above a certain threshold must accept back textiles sold in their stores - Residents no longer need to find a charity shop: the municipal infrastructure now handles textile waste How to engage - Polish residents: check where your nearest textile collection point is and use it for worn-out clothing you can't donate or sell - Municipalities: contact Polish Zero Waste Association for education campaign templates in Polish explaining the new collection obligation to residents - Textile retailers: ensure your in-store textile take-back complies with the January 2025 regulation: contact the Association for guidance Why it matters The EU's extended producer responsibility push is bringing textile collection mandates across Europe. Poland's January 2025 launch makes it one of the earlier adopters, and the Polish Zero Waste Association's work building municipal capacity will inform how similar programmes roll out across the region. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. - Lead: Polish Zero Waste Association - Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th editiontextilescollectionpolicymandatoryEPR
Repair & ReuseNairobiAfrica Collect Textiles upcyclingUniforms, jeans, and carpets from discarded textiles Africa Collect Textiles (ACT) in Nairobi pioneers textile recycling, turning used guard uniforms into backpacks, weaving carpets from old jeans, and producing filling material for furniture makers. What you can do - Donate clean used textiles at ACT collection points where available - Commission upcycled products for schools, clubs, or community spaces - Replicate the model: sort, shred, and design new goods from fibres already in the city How to participate - Check collection and product lines on the ACT portfolio page Why it matters Fast fashion's waste stream is a local materials bank when designers and collectors work openly together. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. Source: Impacc · Portfolio: Africa Collect Textiles.textilesupcyclingrecyclingNairobicircular
