Kurkime modernią Lietuvos ateitį kartu
Registruotis
Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania
From waste to products: opportunities for textile utilisation in Lithuania
Problem
Since 1 January 2025, municipalities have been required to ensure that residents can hand over textiles separately from other waste. The amount of separately collected textiles in Lithuania is growing: from almost 4 thousand tonnes in 2020 to 14.1 thousand tonnes in 2024. Nevertheless, a large share of textiles still ends up in mixed municipal waste. According to data from the Environmental Protection Agency, about 50 thousand tonnes of textile waste are generated each year, of which about 40 thousand tonnes (78%) go to mixed municipal waste treatment facilities. There, textiles are incinerated or, most likely, end up in landfills.
Collecting textiles separately is only the first step. Some items can be reused, but for textiles that are no longer wearable, especially mixed-fibre ones, Lithuania lacks recycling capacity and a market. At present, mostly production textile waste is recycled, for example into industrial wipes and non-woven materials. For manufacturers, it is often cheaper to buy primary raw material, and they have no obligation to use recycled textiles.
EU requirements are changing the situation. Directive (EU) 2025/1892 introduces extended producer responsibility for textiles. Its provisions must be transposed into national law by 17 June 2027. Textiles that are not suitable for reuse will have to be recycled, and where technically feasible, fibre-to-fibre recycling is to be given priority. Investments are planned in Lithuania in sorting and recycling equipment, but it is unclear which products could realistically be made from textiles collected in Lithuania and who would buy them. Experience from other countries can help find solutions that would allow a larger share of textile waste to be used within the country to make products, creating higher economic value.
Goal
The goal of the project is to present solutions for using a larger share of textile waste within the country.
Project progress
2026/10/15
Analysis of the textile waste situation in Lithuania
2026/11/11
Analysis of good practices in textile waste utilisation applied abroad
2026/12/11
Assessment of the applicability of good foreign practices in Lithuania: opportunities for adoption and main barriers
2027/01/29
Assessment of the textile waste recycling potential in Lithuania and preparation of recommendations
