Mountains of old clothes in Salzwedel: disposal crisis threatens to tip into chaos!

Mountains of old clothes in Salzwedel: disposal crisis threatens to tip into chaos!

In Salzwedel, a town in the Altmarkkreis, old clothes are currently piling up in front of the containers in the OBI parking lot. The situation in the region is becoming increasingly urgent, because after the containers have been removed, the population is faced with the challenge of bringing their old textiles to the recycling centers themselves. Versero GmbH, responsible for the containers at the Netto market on Bahnhofstrasse, has filed for bankruptcy, and over 70% of the companies that collect used clothes in Germany are in a similar situation. What was intended as a necessary disposal of used textiles is turning into a real problem.

The sales markets for used clothes have collapsed sharply, which is also noticeable in the Altmark district. A special use permit for commercial used clothing containers ended on December 31, 2024, without there being any interested parties for an extension. This decision was made due to the economic difficulties facing the industry. The responsible authorities have examined alternative locations for new containers, but decided against setting them up due to high special usage fees.

Disposal system under pressure

Since January 1, 2025, the Altmarkkreis Salzwedel has been responsible for the disposal of used textiles. Collection now takes place mainly via a drop-off system at the waste management and recycling centers, where used textiles can be handed in free of charge. Nevertheless, there was no demand for container locations in public spaces - there have been no more inquiries since the end of 2024.

The fees for using public spaces, which amount to 30 euros per used clothing container per month, seem to have a deterrent effect. There is also a discussion about setting up containers on district-owned land, but no concrete steps have been taken yet.

A look at the future

The future of the used clothing collection in Salzwedel is uncertain. Without new initiatives to set up containers and with the ongoing wave of insolvencies in the industry, the disposal of used textiles could pose an even greater challenge. It remains to be seen whether and how the city can find a way out of this predicament.

Let's continue to monitor how the situation in the city develops. Because even if you think about other things in Salzwedel, there is something going on that cannot be ignored. With associations and committed citizens, a breath of fresh air could perhaps be brought back into the used clothing issue. We'll keep you updated!

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