[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ theme_builder_area=”post_content” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_heading title=”Textile Act and KrWG Amendment 2026: New Requirements for Waste Textiles” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ admin_label=”\u00dcberschrift H1″ title_font=”|700|||||||”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/daresourcing.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/hintergrund4-E-1.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” title_text=”With new requirements for collection and reporting, digitally structured return processes are becoming increasingly important.” alt=”Digitally supported return of waste textiles via an ELOOP container” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” text_font=”||||||||” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ header_4_font=”|600|on||||||” header_4_font_size__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” header_3_font_size=”20px” header_3_line_height=”24px” header_3_font=”|700|||||||” header_3_text_align=”left”]<\/p>\n
Germany is gradually reorganising the textile circular economy. Since 1 January 2025, municipalities and public waste management authorities have been required to organise the separate collection of textile waste. At the same time, the European Union is introducing extended producer responsibility for textiles. Germany intends to implement these requirements through a separate Textile Act. In addition, a draft amendment to the German Circular Economy Act, or Kreislaufwirtschaftsgesetz\u2014KrWG\u2014was published in June 2026. <\/p>\n
This is fundamentally changing the way waste textiles are viewed: in the future, it will no longer be sufficient merely to collect clothing and footwear. Clearly defined responsibilities, traceable quantities, documented handovers and reliable information about subsequent recovery routes will become equally important. <\/p>\n
Note on the legal status: This article reflects the situation as of 28 July 2026. The German Textile Act is still in preparation. The targets and structures set out in the key-points paper should therefore be understood as proposed provisions and not as legally binding obligations already in force. <\/p>\n
The obligation to collect textile waste separately has already applied in Germany since the beginning of 2025. It is primarily directed at municipalities and public waste management authorities. They must organise suitable collection options within their respective areas of responsibility. <\/p>\n
A distinction must be made at local level: clean textiles that are still suitable for use can be handed in at designated collection points. Different municipal rules may apply to worn-out or heavily soiled textiles. Not every existing used-clothing container is automatically suitable for all types of textile waste. <\/p>\n
The next major step is the introduction of extended producer responsibility, internationally referred to as Extended Producer Responsibility or EPR. The basis for this is Directive (EU) 2025\/1892. It entered into force in October 2025 and must be transposed into German law by 17 June 2027. The Federal Ministry for the Environment plans to implement it through a separate Textile Act. <\/p>\n
According to the key-points paper published in March 2026, the Textile Act is intended to cover clothing, clothing accessories, household textiles and footwear. In principle, the producer is the company that first makes a corresponding product available on the German market. Depending on the supply chain, this may be the manufacturer, importer or distributor. <\/p>\n
Producers are expected to register before placing products on the market and participate in a producer responsibility organisation. Through these organisations, they are expected to assume financial responsibility for essential parts of the subsequent management of waste textiles. These include in particular:e: <\/p>\n
Producers without an establishment in Germany are also expected to appoint an authorised representative. Online platforms and fulfilment service providers are expected to verify whether the respective producers are properly registered. <\/p>\n
This means that, in the future, responsibility will no longer end when a textile product is sold. Producers will have to become more closely involved in how their products are subsequently collected, sorted and recovered. <\/p>\n
The key-points paper already contains specific proposals for the future take-back infrastructure. Producer responsibility organisations are expected to operate a nationwide collection and take-back network. At least one collection container per 1,000 inhabitants is mentioned as a reference figure. <\/p>\n
In addition, the organisations are expected to ensure data collection for reporting, submit an internal control concept and regularly report on the quantities placed on the market, collected and recovered.<\/p>\n
According to the current key-points paper, the following target values are also proposed:<\/p>\n
The reports are also expected to show the quantities that were actually sent to fibre-to-fibre recycling.<\/p>\n
This point is particularly important: one overall figure for \u201ccollected textiles\u201d is not sufficient to reliably distinguish between different recovery routes and target rates.<\/p>\n
On 26 June 2026, the Federal Ministry for the Environment published a draft amendment to the German Circular Economy Act. The draft has not yet been finally coordinated between the federal ministries. According to the current procedure, comments may be submitted until 7 August 2026. <\/p>\n
Extended producer responsibility for textiles itself is explicitly not intended to be regulated in full through this KrWG amendment. A separate Textile Act is planned for this purpose. <\/p>\n
Nevertheless, the KrWG amendment shows the general direction of German waste policy. Among other things, the draft is intended to: <\/p>\n
The draft also provides for stronger obligations for public waste management authorities. In the future, these may include acceptance points for items that are still suitable for use and digital services through which private households can offer usable products for reuse. <\/p>\n
This makes an important distinction clearer: an item that is still suitable for use is not automatically waste. If a textile is accepted as a waste textile, however, different processes and documentation requirements apply. <\/p>\n
A container can receive textiles. However, it does not automatically answer the questions that will become important for future EPR, audit and reporting systems: <\/p>\n
Where and when was a return recorded? What quantity was located in the container? When was it emptied? Which transport operation took over the textiles? Which sorting facility received the batch? What quantities were prepared for reuse? What quantities entered recycling, a fibre-to-fibre process or another recovery route? <\/p>\n
The more closely producer responsibility, quantitative targets and reporting obligations are connected, the more important a structured data chain becomes. The key-points paper already explicitly requires data collection for reporting and information on collected, recovered and recycled quantities. This results in a growing need for digital and verifiable processes among producers, municipalities, collection organisations and waste management partners. <\/p>\n
This does not mean that every individual return necessarily has to be tracked all the way to the final recycled product. What is important, however, is that relevant events, quantities, handovers and processing steps can be systematically connected. <\/p>\n
Although the German Textile Act has not yet been adopted, affected organisations should already review their existing processes.<\/p>\n
1. Record Collection Points and Responsibilities<\/strong><\/p>\n Locations, operators, ownership structures, responsibilities for emptying and connected logistics partners should be clearly documented.<\/p>\n 2. Distinguish Between Reuse and Waste Processes<\/strong><\/p>\n Organisations should define when a textile is accepted as an item that is still suitable for use and when it enters a waste-law process as a waste textile.<\/p>\n 3. Document Quantities and Handovers<\/strong><\/p>\n Not only the total quantity is relevant. Emptying events, transport orders, handovers, sorting batches and downstream recovery quantities should also be recorded in a structured manner. <\/p>\n 4. Prepare Interfaces to Partners<\/strong><\/p>\n Municipalities, producer responsibility organisations, logistics providers, sorting companies and recyclers will use different systems. Standardised data exports and open interfaces will make future cooperation easier. <\/p>\n 5. Audit- und Berichtsf\u00e4higkeit aufbauen<\/strong><\/p>\n The data should be structured in such a way that it can be evaluated transparently for internal controls, clients, authorities or producer responsibility organisations.<\/p>\n ELOOP is a digital return and evidence infrastructure for textiles, footwear, workwear and personal protective equipment.<\/p>\n The system connects physical return points with digital processes. Depending on the project configuration, container locations, return events, fill levels, emptying events, roles, handovers and project-related data can be represented within a shared infrastructure. <\/p>\n ELOOP does not itself provide collection, sorting or recycling services. These services remain with the respective logistics, sorting and recovery partners. The role of ELOOP is to digitally structure the beginning of the return chain and make relevant information available for downstream processes. <\/p>\n ELOOP can therefore support organisations in:<\/p>\nThe Role of ELOOP<\/h3>\n