Old clothing collection in Bavaria's Unterallgäu district is growing in two directions at once: donation enthusiasm is high, and improper disposal is climbing in tandem. According to the district administration (Landratsamt), collection points have gathered over 119 tonnes of old clothing and shoes this year, up 38% year-on-year; meanwhile, roughly 5 tonnes of rubbish have been sorted out of the collection bins, nearly 15% more than in 2025. Edgar Putz, the district's municipal waste management chief, expressed regret and put it bluntly: "Old clothing containers are not household waste bins."

The problem lies in the extra costs of sorting and disposal. Putz noted that soiled, damaged trousers, jackets and sweaters, along with household waste mixed in, all require additional paid sorting and processing, ultimately borne by all taxpayers. He stressed that consciously depositing old textiles not only saves resources but also helps keep the old clothing collection and reuse system running and supports development aid projects.

So what belongs in the old clothing container? The local guidance is straightforward: it only makes sense to deposit an item if you would be willing to give it to a friend. Acceptable items include clothes still in reasonably good condition, shoes tied together in pairs, and accessories such as belts, hats, scarves, gloves, handbags, cloth bags and backpacks, plus clean quilts, decorative fabrics and curtains; all textiles should be kept clean and properly packaged.

What should not go in: heavily soiled, damp, cut-up or damaged textiles; single shoes and household waste belong in the household waste bin; mattresses, upholstered furniture, foam materials, carpets, tarpaulins and tents are bulky waste; items with electrical functions should be taken to a recycling centre. If a container is full, find another drop-off point or come back another day — do not pile old clothes beside the bin.

For the old clothing industry, this local case once again confirms that the quality of what goes in at the front end directly determines sorting costs and the reusable proportion of collected material, and that consumer-side "sorting awareness" is a hidden cost item across the entire old clothing collection and reuse chain.

Source: „Die Altkleidercontainer sind keine Restmülltonnen“ · Originally published 2026-09-17