When we talk about textile waste, the focus is often on discarded clothing. However, an in-depth study conducted in Germany (2020-21) and published in 2022 sheds light on a much larger and often ignored waste stream, i.e. non-clothing textile waste. From carpets, mattresses, and upholstered furniture to artificial turf, diapers, and end-of-life tires, these products contribute significantly to Europe’s textile waste footprint.
According to the study, Germany alone generates over 306,000 metric tons of non-clothing textile waste annually, with EU-wide estimates exceeding 1.5 million metric tons. When combined with clothing, home, and household textile (CHHT) waste, the EU’s total textile waste surpasses 18 million metric tons per year—equivalent to nearly 15% of global textile fiber production (Walter, 2025).
Yet, circular economy principles are largely absent in this sector. Unlike clothing, where reuse and recycling efforts are gaining traction, most non-clothing textiles end up incinerated or landfilled. This blog explores why this is happening and what industry leaders and policymakers can do to drive change.
🔎 The Reality of Non-Clothing Textile Waste
1️⃣ Carpets & Rugs: A Case of Lost Potential
Carpets account for 200,000 metric tons of waste annually in Germany, with about 100,000 metric tons being textile fibers. However, recycling remains almost non-existent, with 60% of carpet waste in the EU still landfilled. Past efforts, such as Germany’s Polyamid 2000 recycling facility (1999-2003), failed due to lack of adequate feedstock and technical difficulties in material separation.
💡 Action Needed:
- Incentivize design for recyclability—using mono-material fibers for easier processing.
- Expand producer take-back programs and support industrial-scale recycling initiatives.
2️⃣ Mattresses: A Growing Waste Problem
Germany generates 165,000 metric tons of mattress waste annually, of which 50,000 metric tons consist of textiles, mainly polyester and cotton. Like carpets, reuse is not an option, and recycling efforts remain minimal.
💡 Action Needed:
- Promote extended producer responsibility (EPR) to encourage closed-loop recycling.
- Invest in modular designs that allow for easy dismantling and material recovery.
3️⃣ Upholstered Furniture: Bulky and Difficult to Recycle
An estimated 55,000 metric tons of textile waste comes from 550,000 metric tons of discarded furniture annually in Germany. However, most of it is incinerated due to high logistical costs and mixed material composition.
💡 Action Needed:
- Encourage modular furniture designs with replaceable fabric components.
- Develop cost-effective recycling systems for separating textile materials from wood and foam.
4️⃣ Artificial Turf: A Growing Concern
With 65,000 metric tons of artificial turf installed annually in Germany, this waste stream is set to grow. While industrial recycling facilities exist, the recovered polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) fibers are mostly downcycled, rather than reused for new turf.
💡 Action Needed:
- Invest in advanced sorting and purification technologies to enable true material circularity.
- Standardize synthetic turf materials to streamline recycling.
5️⃣ Diapers & Hygienic Products: A Major Waste Contributor
Germany generates 1.5 million metric tons of diaper and hygiene waste, with 74,000 metric tons consisting of cellulosic fibers. While some recycling pilots exist, most of this waste is incinerated or landfilled.
💡 Action Needed:
- Scale up diaper recycling facilities and introduce biodegradable alternatives.
- Explore composting solutions for organic-based fiber products.
6️⃣ End-of-Life Tires: An Untapped Fiber Resource
Germany discards 688,000 metric tons of tires annually, with about 20,000 metric tons being textile fibers (polyester, polyamide, aramids, and cellulosic fibers). While mechanical grinding is common, fiber recovery remains largely unexplored.
💡 Action Needed:
- Encourage innovation in fiber extraction technologies for reuse in new tires.
- Develop stronger regulations for tire manufacturers to incorporate recycled materials.
🚀 How Can We Drive Circularity in Non-Clothing Textiles?
Unlike fast fashion, most technical textiles are durable products, designed for long-term use. However, their lack of recyclability means they often end up as waste. To change this, a multi-pronged approach is required:
✅ Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) & Policy Reforms
- France’s Ecomaison (furniture EPR) and Belgium’s Valumat (mattresses EPR) serve as successful models for other EU nations.
- Policymakers must expand EPR programs beyond clothing to include carpets, mattresses, and furniture.
✅ Investment in Recycling Infrastructure
- Many technical textiles use fewer material blends than clothing, making them easier to recycle.
- Governments should incentivize industrial-scale recycling through tax breaks and grants.
✅ Design for Circularity
- Mono-material carpets, modular furniture, and recyclable mattresses should become industry standards.
- Companies must prioritize eco-design and material traceability.
✅ Interconnected Waste Management Systems
- A harmonized EU-wide textile waste framework would aggregate smaller waste streams, making recycling more economically viable.
- Collaboration between technical and clothing textile recyclers can unlock new circular business models.
🌍 A Call to Action for Industry Leaders & Policymakers
The textile industry cannot achieve sustainability without addressing non-clothing waste. This issue extends beyond fashion, impacting construction, automotive, healthcare, and home textiles. While some progress is being made, circularity in technical textiles remains underdeveloped.
📢 Key Questions to Consider:
- How can policymakers incentivize circular business models for non-clothing textiles?
- What role should brands and manufacturers play in product design and take-back schemes?
- How can recycling technology investments be scaled across Europe?
🔗 For deeper insights, explore the full German study (Walter, 2025). Let’s move beyond fashion and make circularity a reality for all textiles! ♻️🚀
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