Textile waste / Tekstilaffald
See the most important Danish waste categories and how correct sorting helps materials move on to recycling.
Click a waste category to read more about it.
In short
Textile waste is clothing and textiles that others can no longer use. It must be dry and free from paint, oil, spirits, chemicals or mould so the fibres can still be recycled.
Common mistakes
- Usable clothing should normally be donated for reuse, not placed in textile waste.
- Wet, mouldy or mildewed textiles do not belong in textile waste.
- Shoes, bags and belts often belong in other schemes than textile waste.
- Textiles with paint, oil, spirits or chemicals must follow local municipal rules.
Dry or contaminated?
Dry and damaged textiles can be recycled
Worn, torn or stained clothing, sheets, towels, curtains and cloths can usually go in textile waste if dry and free from hazardous residues.
Wet or chemically contaminated textiles must be kept out
Wet, mouldy, impregnated or chemically contaminated textiles can ruin other textiles and usually belong in residual waste or at a recycling centre.
Check local rules
Danish municipalities may have different schemes for textile bags, bins, reuse shops, shoes, duvets, pillows and impregnated textiles. Find your municipality.
Textile waste
Textile waste is clothing and textiles that can no longer be reused by others, for example because they are torn, worn out, stained or damaged. Items that are still usable should normally be donated for reuse instead.
Keep textiles dry
Textile waste must be dry. Wet or mouldy textiles can ruin other textiles and make recycling difficult. Textiles with paint, oil, chemicals or similar residues should not be placed with ordinary textile waste and may need to be handled as residual waste or taken to a recycling centre.
FAQ about textile waste
What is textile waste?+
Textile waste is clothing and textiles that others can no longer use, for example because they are torn, worn out, ripped or stained.
Should usable clothes go in textile waste?+
No. Clothing, shoes and textiles that can still be used should be donated, sold or passed on so they stay in use for longer.
Can wet clothes go in textile waste?+
No. Textile waste must be dry. Wet or mouldy textiles can spoil other textiles in the collection.
Can shoes and bags go in textile waste?+
It depends on the municipality. Usable shoes and bags should be donated for reuse, while broken shoes and bags often belong in residual waste or at a recycling centre.
What happens to textile waste?+
Textile waste is sorted and can be used for new fibres, insulation, filling materials or industrial cloths if the quality is good enough.
Waste items sorted as textile waste / Tekstilaffald
Animal fur
Bag
Bathroom shower curtain
Bed linen
Bedding
Bedspread
Belt
Blouse
Boxing gloves
Bra
Bra with underwire
Camping sleeping mat
Cap
Children’s clothes
Cloth napkin
Clothing
Clothing item
Coat
Computer bag
Cotton
Curtain
Down feathers
Duvet cover
Fabric bag
Fabric scraps
Fleece blanket
Fur
Glove
Hat
Jumper
Knitting yarn
Leggings
Life jacket
Linen
Linen fibre
Microfiber cloth
Mittens
Neck scarf
Nightwear
Nylon
Nylon jacket
Nylon stocking
Panties
Piece of clothing
Pillowcase
Polyester
Quilted blanket
Rag rug
Running shoes
Running sneakers
Sandal
Santa hat
Scarf
Sheep wool
Sheet
Shirt
Shoelace
Shoes
Shorts
Sleeping bag
Sneakers
Sock
Socks
Socks with holes
Sportswear
Sweater
Swimsuit
Swimwear
T-shirt
Tablecloth
Tea towel
Teddy bear
Textile
Textile curtain
Textile tote bag
Throw blanket
Tights
Torn clothing
Towel
Underpants
Underwear
Water-repellent jacket
Wool yarn
Worn socks with holes
Worn-out clothing
Yarn
Yarn scraps