Intelligent Textile Recycling System for Businesses and Municipalities
ELOOP is a digital return and verification infrastructure for textile material flows.
The system connects physical return points, digital recording, operator management and material flow data into structured, verifiable datasets – as a complement to existing collection, sorting and recovery processes.
Current focus: textiles, shoes, workwear and PPE. In the future, the system can be modularly expanded to additional controlled return and recyclable material flows.
Why Textile Take-Back Systems Are Becoming Increasingly Important in Europe
In Europe, the way used textiles are handled is changing noticeably. With the obligation to separately collect textile waste in force since 2025 and the EU-mandated extended producer responsibility for textiles, requirements for collection, documentation and traceability are increasing. Germany is also preparing the national implementation through the planned Textile Act (Textilgesetz).
For companies and organizations, this means one thing above all: textile take-back can no longer be managed as a side issue. Processes need to be structured more clearly while still working smoothly in everyday operations.
Many of the existing solutions are reaching their limits, especially when it comes to transparency, traceability, and the meaningful further use of textiles.
Why Textile Recycling Needs to Be Rethought
The volume of used textiles has been increasing for years, both in the private sector and in businesses. At the same time, expectations for how these materials are handled are also rising.
It is no longer just about collecting textiles, but also about being able to trace what happens afterwards. Quantities, handovers and subsequent recovery routes are playing an increasingly important role.
In practice, however, it often becomes clear that existing systems are not designed for this. Processes are fragmented, information is missing, and the organizational effort continues to increase.
This creates a gap between rising requirements and the capabilities of traditional collection structures.
Two Cycles. One System.
ELOOP does not see textile take-back as an isolated collection point, but as a connected system with two interlinked cycles.
On the one hand, it is about the physical cycle of textiles: from return and sorting to reuse and recycling, all the way to new materials, new products, and their renewed use.
At the same time, a digital loop is created: returns are recorded, material flows and process steps are documented and can be used for reporting, management and incentive systems based on defined calculation models.
Only through the interaction of both levels does collection become a manageable system.
Material Cycle
In the material cycle, textiles are not simply discarded, but transferred into structured downstream processes. After being returned via the ELOOP container, they go through sorting, reuse, or recycling. Recycled materials can then be turned into new fabrics, which flow into the design, development, and production of new textiles. These products are put back into use and can later be returned to the cycle again through ELOOP. ELOOP does not replace sorting, logistics or recycling partners; instead, it creates the digital entry point and data layer for existing partner processes.
- Return via ELOOP
- Sorting
- Reuse / Recycling
- New Fabrics
- Design & Product Development
- Production
- Sales & Use
- Return to the Cycle Again
Data Cycle
Parallel to the physical cycle, a digital cycle is created. Returns are recorded via the container and the system platform and assigned to individual processes. Textiles can be linked to a digital identity, quantities documented and emission values calculated. In this way, a continuous data chain is created – from the point of collection to the documented handover. This generates reliable information for companies, operators and public institutions – for example for ESG evidence, reporting, management and incentive mechanisms that can further promote return and reuse.
- digital return recording
- assignment to collection points, locations and processes
- quantity, status and handover data
- verification and reporting foundations
- ESG-, EPR- and DPP-oriented data structures.
- optional incentive or bonus models
Which Applications Is ELOOP Suitable For?
ELOOP can be used in a wide range of environments—wherever textiles need to be returned in a structured way, recorded, and integrated into circular processes.
Companies with workwear, PPE and safety shoes.
Municipalities & waste management companies.
Manufacturers, brands & future EPR structures.
Operators, waste management companies, sorting and recovery partners.
System architecture with filed IP protection.
The ELOOP system architecture is the subject of filed IP protection and patent applications. Technical details are provided on a project-specific basis and, where required, in protected documentation.
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Frequently Asked Questions About the Textile Recycling System
1. Who Is a Textile Recycling System Suitable For?
A structured textile recycling system is suitable for companies, municipalities, and collection point operators who want to organize textile take-back processes efficiently and make them traceable.
It is especially relevant wherever larger quantities of textiles are used and returned on a regular basis.
2. Which Textiles Can Be Recorded Through ELOOP?
The current focus is on textiles, shoes, workwear, PPE, safety shoes and other defined textile material flows.
3. How does ELOOP differ from traditional collection systems?
Traditional systems usually only capture the collection of textiles.
ELOOP goes one step further by combining take-back with digital tracking, data analysis, and traceable circular processes.
This creates not just collection, but a manageable system.
4. What data can be captured with ELOOP?
ELOOP can capture data such as deposit volumes, usage frequency, and process-related information.
This data can be used for analysis, sustainability reporting, and internal management.
5. Can ELOOP be integrated into existing processes?
Yes, ELOOP is designed to integrate into existing structures—for example, logistics processes, supply models, or existing collection systems.
6. Is the system also suitable for municipalities?<br />
Yes, ELOOP can also be used in public spaces and can meaningfully complement existing collection points.
This creates greater transparency regarding volumes, usage, and the further processing of used textiles.
7. What role does the container play in the system?
The container is the physical entry point into the system.
This is where textiles are recorded and transferred into the material and data cycle.
8. How does ELOOP support sustainable strategies and ESG goals?
Through the digital tracking and analysis of textile flows, ELOOP creates a reliable data foundation.
This can be used for sustainability reporting, internal analysis, and strategic decision-making.
9. Is ELOOP a waste management or recycling company?
No. ELOOP does not replace municipal waste management providers, sorting facilities, recycling companies or legal producer responsibility organisations. The system complements existing partner processes with a digital data and verification layer.
10. Can ELOOP also be used for other return and material recovery streams?
ELOOP is built as a modular system. The current application focus is on textiles and shoes. In the future, the system architecture can also be assessed and adapted on a project-specific basis for additional controlled return and recyclable material flows, depending on legal, safety-related and operational requirements.
Assess ELOOP as a return and verification infrastructure.
Would you like to organise textile return processes in your organisation, municipality or operator structure in a traceable and scalable way?
We will be happy to provide you with further information, presentation materials and the technical data sheet for the container.