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Humana containers collected 18,300 tons of used textiles in Spain in 2021
02-03-2022
Humana Fundación Pueblo para Pueblo recovered a total of 18,313 tons of used textiles in 2021 to give them a second life with an environmental and social benefit. The reuse of textiles is key to the circular economy and the creation of green jobs, which is why the entity has been committed for 35 years to giving a second life to garments that are not used.
Textile waste (clothing, footwear, accessories and home textiles) is deposited in the 5,000 containers located on public roads, thanks to agreements with local councils, entities and private companies, or in the Foundation's secondhand fashion stores.
The tons recovered are equivalent to 74 million garments that are classified in the preparation plants for reuse that Humana has in Leganés (Madrid) and l'Ametlla del Vallès (Barcelona). 50% can be reused and more than 35% can be recycled.
“We have recovered records from before the pandemic, we even have to go back ten years to see a similar figure. In 2011 we collected 18,748 tons throughout the country. Of course, we are satisfied with the increase, which responds to a natural inertia in the sector; however, it is not enough: the sector has a problem and that is that little textile waste is still recovered in Spain”, says Rafael Mas, Director of Projects and External Relations at Humana.
40% of the clothes we have in our closets are not used for a whole year and it is estimated that each citizen throws away between 20 and 30 kg of textiles annually. According to the most recent reports, more than one million tons of textile waste is generated annually in Spain, but 110,000 tons are collected. “It hardly represents more than 10% of what we generate in our homes; the rest is thrown away in other fractions and finally ends up in a landfill. These are alarming figures, even more so when selective collection has enormous potential, given that 50% of textile waste can be reused and more than 35% can be recycled, for the time being, turning them into products of less value”, assures Rafael Mas, “ it is important that it is deposited in a clothing container; It is obvious, but almost 90% of textile waste does not end up at the appropriate collection point”.
Reduction of emissions and fight against climate change
The reuse of used textiles contributes to the reduction of CO2 emissions: for every kg of clothing recovered (and not taken to a waste treatment center for incineration or final disposal) the emission of 6.1 kg of CO2 is avoided , according to a study by the Federation Humana People to People. The 18,313 tons recovered last year in Spain have prevented the emission of 111,700 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere.
On the other hand, the resources obtained from the management of textile waste allow the creation of green jobs in Spain (Humana generates one permanent job for every 30 tons of textile collected) and finance development programs in the countries of the South hand in hand with counterparts or local partners.
