Segregation of textiles, including protective and work clothing – challenges and opportunities for companies

/ Published in Health and safety guides

The production and use of textiles, especially protective and workwear, involve significant environmental challenges, but also responsibilities that fall on manufacturers and users. New European Union regulations introduce changes that are intended to reduce the environmental impact of the textile sector, but at the same time pose many practical challenges for companies.

In the case of protective and workwear, which is used by employees in difficult, demanding conditions, the topic of segregation and disposal takes on particular significance. This type of clothing is often contaminated with chemicals, oils or other hazardous substances, which excludes it from recycling. In such cases, the only acceptable method of disposal is proper utilisation, for example, by incineration.

How the regulations on the separate collection of textiles and Extended Producer Responsibility affect the industry

In this article, we show how the regulations on the separate collection of textiles and Extended Producer Responsibility affect the industry, what the challenges are in the context of protective and workwear, and what solutions our company offers to meet these requirements.

New regulations for textiles, including protective and workwear

From 1 January 2025, according to Directive 2018/851, all EU member states will be required to introduce separate collection for textiles. Used clothes, shoes, bed linen and protective clothing will no longer be allowed in mixed waste. As a result, municipalities, companies and textile manufacturers will have to set up systems to collect, sort and recycle textile waste.

In addition, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) has been introduced from June 2024. Clothing manufacturers are obliged to cover the costs of collecting, processing and recycling their products. This will force the design of more sustainable products, eliminate hazardous substances and facilitate the reprocessing of materials.

Practical challenges when sorting protective and workwear

The implementation of the new regulations raises many questions, especially in the context of protective and workwear. What are the biggest challenges?

  • Chemically contaminated clothing: How can textiles that are not recyclable (e.g. stained with oil or chemicals) be sorted? Will these materials have to be incinerated?
  • Costs for companies: What will the real costs be for manufacturers and users of protective clothing? Will this affect product prices?
  • Separation infrastructure: Will municipalities and companies be able to set up the necessary infrastructure in time?

Statistics on textile production in Poland and Europe

To understand the scale of the problem, it is worth looking at the statistics on textile production:

  • Europe: According to the European Commission, the textile sector generates more than 5 million tonnes of textile waste every year. Only 1% of this waste is recycled on an industrial scale.
  • Poland: In our country, around 2.5 million tonnes of textiles are put on the market every year, a significant proportion of which ends up in landfill. Textile waste accounts for around 4% of all municipal waste.
  • CO₂ emissions: Textile production accounts for 10% of global CO₂ emissions, making the sector one of the most polluting.

Ecological approach PW Krystian

As a socially and environmentally responsible company, PW Krystian has been focusing on creating durable, ecological protective clothing for years. In response to new regulations and market needs, we implement a number of solutions that minimise the impact of our activities on the environment.

Protective and workwear in the context of new regulations

Protective and workwear, like other textiles, is subject to the obligation of segregation and recycling. As part of our cooperation with municipalities and other entities, we create systems that allow for selective collection and educate the public about responsible consumption.

Eco-design – the future of the textile sector

To meet the requirements of new regulations and consumer expectations, we emphasise:

  • Durability: we design clothes that are safe and functional for a long time.
  • Sustainable materials: we use environmentally friendly fabrics, including recycled ones.
  • Easily recyclable: we enable materials to be reprocessed, reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfill.