How Textile Waste Becomes an Opportunity for Green and Inclusive Jobs

Every year, around 5.8 million tonnes of textiles are discarded in Europe, with most of them ending up in landfills or incinerators—causing significant environmental impacts. But what if old clothes could be given a second life while creating jobs and local value?

Social enterprises in the reuse sector demonstrate that this is possible by providing training opportunities, fair wages, and decent working conditions, while at the same time contributing to environmental protection. On average, a social enterprise creates 20–35 jobs for every 1,000 tonnes of collected textiles.

The new video produced within the VERDEinMED project showcases this approach in North Macedonia, where local textile waste management solutions are becoming a driver of green and inclusive economies.

Watch the video and discover how textile waste can become part of the solution https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMDF28GzCg0

How you can contribute:

• Donate clothing for reuse
• Choose second-hand products
• Support circular economy policies

Follow the Knowledge Platform: knowledge.verdeinmed.eu

Together, we can build a more sustainable and equitable fashion industry.