Evolution of Textile Waste Management in Greece

Evolution of Textile Waste Management in Greece

In Greece, until 2010, no organised programme for the reuse and recycling of textile waste had been implemented.

Until then, the reuse of textile products mainly took place through various clothing exchange events (bazaars) and charitable activities organised by the Church. In addition, second-hand clothing stores operated across the country, contributing to the reduction of this particular waste stream.

The first attempts to encourage more active participation in textile waste reuse and recycling management programmes were made during 2012–2013 by several local authorities in Greece. However, these efforts failed for various reasons. Until that period, a huge proportion of textile waste generated in Greece was disposed of in landfills, as there were neither public infrastructures nor private companies operating in this sector.

From 2015 onwards, these efforts began to yield results, as private companies undertook the implementation of integrated programmes for the recycling and reuse of textile waste. More specifically, these companies became responsible for the collection, transportation, and sorting of textile waste.

At the same time, local authorities provided designated locations within cities where special collection bins were installed by these companies for the separate collection of textile waste.

In Greece, separate collection of textiles waste stream continues to be implemented today through the use of red and purple collection bins for damaged textiles. These bins are operated by private companies such as East West Greece, RECYCOM, and TexCycle, as well as through social initiatives organised by public authorities such as first-level local government organisations.

This has now become a common waste management practice in Greece, involving the disposal of textile waste in special collection bins located throughout cities across the country.

Source: Gravas Efthymios, Priniotakis Georgios (2019), Textile Reuse and recycling in Greece, Fact or Fiction?, Proceedings of the 19th World Textile Conference – Autex 2019, 6.