{"id":4973,"date":"2026-03-11T10:17:51","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T10:17:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sustainability-today.ro\/?p=4973"},"modified":"2026-03-19T06:58:14","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T06:58:14","slug":"romanias-growing-mountain-of-clothes-textile-collection-exists-on-paper-but-reuse-and-recycling-are-rare","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sustainability-today.ro\/index.php\/2026\/03\/11\/romanias-growing-mountain-of-clothes-textile-collection-exists-on-paper-but-reuse-and-recycling-are-rare\/","title":{"rendered":"Romania\u2019s growing \u201cMountain of Clothes\u201d: textile collection exists on paper, but reuse and recycling are rare"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Many local administrations in Romania risk fines from oversight authorities due to their inability to establish a functional system for collecting and reusing textile waste\u2014from consumers to the stage where it becomes a resource. This is the conclusion of the analysis \u201cX-ray of Textile Waste Management in Romania,\u201d<\/em> conducted by the Recycling Map (Harta Recicl\u0103rii) program of the Viitor Plus association, in collaboration with Ecoteca. The study is part of the \u201cMountain of Clothes\u201d<\/strong> awareness campaign supported by ING Bank Romania.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Separate collection of textile waste became mandatory in Romania on January 1, 2025<\/strong>. More than a year after municipalities were required to implement a system covering the entire chain\u2014from consumers to recyclers\u2014the system works in some localities but is almost or entirely absent in many other cities across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The nationwide analysis by Viitor Plus and Ecoteca shows that while collection infrastructure has been introduced in most cities<\/strong>, what happens to clothing afterward\u2014sorting, preparation for reuse, recycling, incineration, or landfilling\u2014remains largely opaque and often depends on isolated initiatives or partnerships with NGOs. According to industry estimates, only 6\u20138% of collected textiles are actually reused or recycled<\/strong>, while the rest are incinerated or sent to landfill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Collection Exists, but the System Remains Fragile<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ecoteca gathered the data through a questionnaire sent to local authorities across Romania. Only 32 local administrations responded<\/strong>, but the results indicate that 87.5% of respondents have implemented a formal system for separate textile collection<\/strong>. However, infrastructure and performance vary significantly from city to city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the first 10 months of 2025<\/strong>, responding administrative units reported 2,190 tonnes of textile waste collected separately<\/strong>. Participation from residents, however, appears to be low. On average, only 0.25 kilograms of textiles were collected per capita<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These figures represent only part of the national picture. Many cities that did not provide data either have not implemented textile collection infrastructure<\/strong>, have very few collection points serving tens or hundreds of thousands of residents<\/strong>, or run only one or two short collection campaigns per year<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe first steps in textile waste management have been taken, but this is only the beginning,\u201d said Mihail T\u0103nase<\/strong>, communications consultant for Recycling Map. \u201cA fully functional system requires the involvement of all actors\u2014consumers, producers, textile retailers, collection, sorting and recycling companies, local authorities and lawmakers. If we truly want to reduce the \u2018Mountain of Clothes,\u2019 we must develop the entire chain, from prevention and reuse to recycling.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe issue of textile waste is extremely complex, and solutions for collection and recovery are still limited,\u201d added Alexandra Maier Ranetti<\/strong>, Sustainability Manager at ING Bank Romania. \u201cThat is why initiatives like the Mountain of Clothes<\/em> campaign are so important. In ING, we see the circular economy as a key solution complementing efforts to address climate change and the energy transition. We support financing in this direction, but we are also aware of the impact each of us can have\u2014by extending the life of textiles, restoring their usefulness, and directing them responsibly when we no longer need them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Systemic Barriers Persist<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The report highlights several systemic barriers that limit the system\u2019s effectiveness. These include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n