Alto clothing container in Sternberg almost disappeared - what now?

Alto clothing container in Sternberg almost disappeared - what now?

Sternberg, Deutschland - Who doesn't know them, the overflowing wardrobes? More and more people in Cologne and the surrounding area are facing the urgent and everyday question: What to do with all the old clothes? While the need to separate yourself from no longer worn clothing is very popular, the disposal of these textiles is not exactly facilitated by the decreasing number of old clothing containers. SVZ reports that the containers in Sternberg and the surrounding area are almost completely disappearing-a trend that is also increasingly noticeable in other regions.

In many cities, the operators of the old clothing containers have already reacted and closed some locations. A current example is two collection containers on the parking spaces of Edeka and Aldi, which have recently been removed. The last remaining container stands behind the main building of the Sternberger housing association and belongs to the Humana organization. This sorts the donated textiles near Berlin and sells portable pieces in their shops.

Problem of disposal

But why is the collecting and recycling of old dresses increasingly unprofitable? The strongly sunken prices for waste materials play a major role. In addition, the German Red Cross (DRK) decided not to set up any further containers - the littering and associated costs have influenced the decision. Well -preserved clothing often ends up in the trash, which is not exactly beneficial to the environment. The Red Cross also makes it clear that damaged textiles are handed over to exploitation companies, where they are processed into new products such as footstorms or plastering flaps.

Despite the challenges, there are alternatives to the old clothing collection. In cities like Brüel and Kobrow, old clothes can be handed over at recycling centers. The Charity Shop of the DRK in Parchim also accepts donations. The efforts to recycling and reuse are all the more important, since from January 1, 2025, all used textiles in the EU have to be collected separately from other waste. ZDF explains that the goal of these new specifications is a significant reduction in burned or deposited textiles in order to protect the environment.

Effects of the new EU requirements

Reality shows that in Germany over one million tons of old textiles end up in containers every year, with only about half still usable. The rest often goes on the market outside the EU or ends up in the trash. Only about 50% to 65% of the old textiles are actually usable. The EU-wide regulations for separate collection could significantly improve the situation, with mixed fibers more difficult in textiles in textiles and thus increase the combustion rate.

end users can actively contribute to avoiding waste: buy less, choose durable products and consider second-hand options. Labels like the Blue Angel or the Green button help to make environmentally friendly decisions. The future of the old clothing collection in Cologne and beyond the already discussed "extended manufacturer's responsibility" depends on which manufacturers are to be taken into account.

summarized, the path to the effective disposal and recycling of clothing is rocky, but with a good hand we can all help to reduce the amount of garbage and protect our environment.