In Spain, an average of 19 kilograms of textile waste is generated per person annually, the vast majority of which—87 percent—continues to end up in landfills. The latest, third edition of the comprehensive report (“Situación actual del sector de la recogida y treatment de ropa usada en España”) published by Moda re-, an eco-social project created by Cáritas, highlights the current state of used clothing collection and management in Spain. The analysis showcases the challenges facing the sector, changes in the regulatory environment, and the social economy’s prominent market share of over 60 percent in textile waste management.
Shocking Volumes: An Average of 60 Garments in the Trash Per Person Annually
The latest report from Moda re- sheds light on the severe environmental and logistical problem caused by overconsumption and outdated waste management mechanisms in Spain. According to statistics, an average Spanish citizen discards approximately 19 kilograms—roughly 60 pieces—of clothing each year. Only 13 percent of this massive volume of textiles is collected selectively, while the remaining 87 percent ends up in municipal landfills, completely bypassing the circular economy system.
Alberto Egido, Head of Sustainability at Moda re-, pointed out regarding the report: “The biggest challenge is not just how much we consume, but also what we do with our clothes when we no longer use them. Currently, the majority of clothing remains outside the circular system.” Population consumer habits also hinder rapid progress, as surveys indicate that 45 percent of Spaniards admit to still buying “fast fashion” products, which significantly complicates the establishment of more sustainable consumption patterns.
Rising Collection Data, But Still Low Rates
Although selective textile collection is continuously growing, data shows that the network is still insufficient to collect all waste generated in Spain. The report states that in 2024, the selective collection of post-consumer textile waste reached 118,951.8 tonnes. This represents 2.45 kilograms per resident, showing an encouraging 18.7 percent increase compared to 2021 data.
Despite the positive trend, the volume of this growth pales in comparison to the total amount of waste generated. The proportion of selectively collected textiles relative to the total generated quantity reaches only 12.9 percent, meaning the sector faces a massive backlog in achieving desired sustainability and recycling goals.
Dominance of the Social Economy and Infrastructure Expansion
The most important pillar of the Spanish textile waste management system is formed by social economy actors, which collectively manage over 60 percent of the collected textiles. Within the system, Moda re- has consolidated its role as the leading state operator, responsible for 42 percent of nationwide collection. They are followed by AERESS at 19 percent and Humana with a 16 percent market share.
The collection infrastructure has gradually improved alongside regulations. By 2024, the number of textile collection bins in Spain approached 30,000 units, representing an impressive 38 percent jump compared to 2021. Out of this network, more than 8,900 containers are operated directly by Moda re-, covering more than 1,800 municipalities across the country. Thanks to this expansion of the logistics network, it can now be said that two out of three people in Spain have easy access to a textile collection bin.
Economic and Social Impacts: Job Creation and Savings
The separate collection and recycling model operated by social organizations brings not only environmental but also significant economic and social benefits. The research records that social entities active in the sector have created more than 3,700 jobs directly related to textile waste management (logistics, sorting, sales). A significant portion of these positions provides labor market integration for disadvantaged or marginalized social groups.
Furthermore, the system relieves local municipalities of huge financial burdens. According to calculations, selective collection allows municipalities to save more than 250 euros per tonne, drastically reducing the economic pressure on publicly funded waste management systems. Noema Paniagua, Director General of Moda re-, evaluated the data stating: “The sector has reached a turning point, and the numbers clearly show that we must accelerate the transition toward a truly circular textile model.”
Regulatory Pressure and Future Challenges
The main challenges facing the sector include ensuring adequate financing and the practical implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR – Responsabilidad Ampliada del Productor) system. The Spanish Waste Law (Ley de Residuos) brought drastic changes: under this legislation based on European directives, the separate, selective collection of textile waste became mandatory for all municipalities by January 1, 2025, at the latest.
Although the used clothing market and second-hand fashion are gaining weight in modern consumer habits, the report warns that local public administrations must show greater commitment. Appropriate public procurement mechanisms and targeted financing are needed for the social economy to maintain its crucial role and to prevent used clothing from ending up in landfills in the future.
References and sources:
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Original link: https://modare.org/magazine/circular/informe-recogida-tratamiento-ropa-usada-espana-2026/
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Official organization website: Cáritas Española (Research and Reports)
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Professional publication confirming the data (RETEMA Environmental Magazine): Un informe alerta de que el 87% del residuo textil en España acaba en vertedero