Textile waste / Tekstilaffald

See the most important Danish waste categories and how correct sorting helps materials move on to recycling.

Textile waste

Click a waste category to read more about it.

Cardboard
Paper
Hazardous waste
Textile waste
Plastic
Residual waste
Small electronics
Glass
Food and beverage cartons
Food waste
Metal
Batteries

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

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