SecondHandTextilien

SecondHandTextilien is a term used to describe used textiles and clothing that are collected, resold, donated, or recycled. In German-speaking contexts it appears in discussions of the circular economy, thrift markets, and charity-donor networks. The category includes garments, home textiles such as towels and sheets, and fabric remnants that can be worn, repaired, upcycled, or repurposed.

The supply chain typically begins with collection through charities, municipal programs, or textile banks. Collected items are transported to sorting centers where textiles are separated by wearability, fiber content, and color. Wearable items are prepared for resale through charity shops, thrift stores, or second-hand platforms, while unsellable textiles may be recycled into fibers, insulation, or wiping cloths, or diverted for energy recovery. In many regions, export to markets in Europe, Africa, and parts of Asia remains part of the system, though regulations and market dynamics are evolving to address waste and quality standards.

Environmental and social aspects are central to the concept. Reusing textiles reduces landfill, lowers resource use, and can create jobs in sorting, retail, and recycling. At the same time, concerns about working conditions, transport emissions, and the environmental footprint of processing and export have led to calls for greater transparency and better lifecycle assessments.

Regulation and policy influence SecondHandTextilien through waste-management laws, textile-recycling targets, and international controls on waste shipments. Standards for sorting quality, labeling, and fiber content help determine market value and end-of-life pathways.