Since January 2025, European member states have been required to collect textiles separately and several rules have changed for recycling textiles. The rules now also apply to a wider range of textiles, including not only clothing, but also bed textiles. The rules include bedding such as sheets and comforter covers, for example. This broad definition includes both household textiles and business-related textiles, meaning that bed textiles are explicitly included in the obligation for separate collection and processing for reuse or recycling.
The sorting and recycling process
Textiles deposited in containers are often collected by social organizations or private companies. The sorting process is largely manual and focuses on whether the textiles are reusable. Reusable pieces are sold, while non-reusable fibers are recycled into new products.
Typically, we then think of mechanical recycling. Insulation and cleaning rags are typical new products after this process. However, it goes much further than that. With chemical recycling, especially synthetic materials such as polyester or viscose can be broken down again into their basic building blocks. This creates completely new yarns that can be used again without loss of quality in new products such as mattress covers.
Unfortunately, often unsuitable items (such as heavily soiled or wet textiles) end up in collection containers, which greatly complicates the process. As consumers, we need to be aware about what is and is not suitable for recycling textiles. As with mattresses, the rule here is to offer products dry and not think of the container as a garbage can.
Challenges posed by fast- and ultrafast-fashion
The rise of fast- and ultrafast-fashion, especially in clothing, is having a negative impact on the quality of collected textiles. You would think that this applies only to clothing. However, nothing could be further from the truth. There is enormous price pressure on bed textiles due to imports from Asia, among others. In order to withstand the price pressure, important aspects such as weave quality and thus fabric quality are highly squeezed. Important rules regarding the use of hazardous substances or a safe working environment are also being questioned in order to produce more cheaply or faster. And finally, it is noticeable that more and more channels are selling bed textiles, even in supermarkets you can find all kinds of offers these days.
Lower quality or toxic substances make reuse more difficult, which reduces the economic value of recycled materials. In addition, there is too little demand for recycled materials because they are more expensive than new fabrics. This puts pressure on the whole recycling model. European producers are quietly being encouraged to increase their commitment to circular textiles or or use recycled textile waste as the basis for new products.
Making textile recycling economically viable
Kristof Bogaert points out in this VRT news report that these challenges require structural changes, such as more regulations and support to make textile recycling economically viable.
So take a moment to consciously think about that extra cheap fitted sheet or cover that you might soon throw away. Does it really appeal to you? Would it be better to pay more for a quality cover that will last for years? Do you really want to sleep under a cover that was dyed with dangerous dyes or made by people who are structurally exploited?
I’m not trying to make you feel guilty, because sometimes there are reasons why you buy what you buy. And certainly not every quality claim you hear from brands is justified. That’s why with Mindthebed, in the future, we would like to tell you more about how to differentiate quality. We want to take you through the process of how products are made and whether a product fits you as a sleeper or user. That way you’ll be better positioned to make informed choices about what really suits you.
While textile recycling is becoming more concrete within Europe, another waste stream remains conspicuously underexposed: the furniture industry.
Impact of fast furniture
Like fast fashion, fast furniture – cheap, quickly produced furniture – has a frighteningly high environmental impact. According to recent figures from De Morgen, no less than 22 million tons of furniture ends up in landfills worldwide each year. In Belgium alone, this amounts to some 38 kilos of discarded furniture per person per year. The vast majority of this is incinerated or dumped, only a fraction is recycled.
The cause lies in the increasing supply of cheap furniture, often made from composite materials such as particle board, which are difficult or even impossible to recycle. As with fast fashion, furniture today is often bought not with sustainability in mind, but for quick replacement – a trend that further increases the waste problem.
Nor does the bedding industry escape this reality. Mattresses, box springs and bed textiles constitute a huge waste stream that is difficult to recycle due to the combination of materials such as foam rubber, metal, polyester and glue. Old mattresses often end up in landfills or incinerators, while their production requires huge amounts of raw materials and energy.
On average, a mattress consists of 25 different materials, most of which cannot be easily separated. As a result, the recycling rate remains lamentably low, despite initiatives such as specialized recyclers that attempt to reuse components such as steel springs and foam.
What does this mean for the future?
As with textiles, the key lies in better regulation as well as awareness among producers and consumers. European initiatives are already taking steps toward extended producer responsibility (UPV) for furniture and mattresses, similar to what we already know for textiles. Producers would be required to design products in a circular way, minimize waste and facilitate recycling.
In addition, the movement toward sustainable alternatives is growing: solid wood furniture that lasts for generations, circular mattresses where components can be easily disassembled, and innovative solutions such as leasing models for beds, where producers retain ownership and guarantee reuse or proper recycling.
So the shift now underway in the textile sector urgently needs to be extended to furniture and bedding. Only then will we avoid the circular economy ending at our closet, but not our living room – or bedroom.
Conclusion
Although the new European regulations are taking positive steps toward sustainability, significant challenges remain due to fast-fashion, economic pressures and lack of regulation, among others. Be aware that you, the consumer, play an important role.
It is crucial to address these issues however if only price is our motive, then change will not happen soon. Yes, expanded producer responsibility for textiles is needed. And yes, we as consumers can also embrace sustainable textiles to encourage less waste and less fast fashion. Be mindful of what you buy and, most importantly, why you buy it.
