First Textile Race: Students collect items of clothing for climate protection!

First Textile Race: Students collect items of clothing for climate protection!

The first round of the “Textile Race” will soon be running in Friesland, Wilhelmshaven and Ammerland. Pupils from eight schools are starting an exciting campaign that will take place from September 15th to October 8th. The aim of this initiative is not only to collect used textiles, but also to impart important knowledge about environmental protection and sustainability. NWZonline reports that the patron of this project is Lower Saxony's Prime Minister Olaf Lies, who will attend the opening event at the Bockhorn High School.

During their lessons, students not only learn why it is important to avoid textile waste, but also how the connection between consumption, recycling and environmental protection works. The campaign is supported by the Barthel Foundation, the DRK district association Varel-Friesische Wehde and the Technical Companies Wilhelmshaven. The collected used textiles should be brought to school or via the website textil-race.de be registered for collection.

Competition with a sustainable background

An exciting competition awaits the students: the most hard-working school can look forward to a trip to the Hollen Environmental Center. The “Textile Race” attaches great importance to achieving a lasting learning effect about the value of clothing and its raw materials. According to the organizers, schools collect on average around 14 tons of used textiles at such an event, which has a positive effect on reducing CO2 emissions.

Worldwide, the textile industry produces around 92 million tonnes of textile waste every year; Tragically, 73% of it ends up in landfills or is incinerated. The WWF has made it clear that this industry is responsible for 2 to 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. A circular economy in the textile industry is therefore essential: Students should learn that the use and disposal of textiles has significant environmental impacts and that a switch to sustainable practices is necessary.

A solution approach for the textile industry

The concept of the “Textile Race” is based on the sustainable development goals that have been set for the textile industry. The initiative works with qualified recyclers who sort the collected textiles into over 300 categories. The majority, around 65%, of the clothing collected is reused as second-hand items, while 25% is recycled, e.g. into insulation material or painter's fleece. Only 10% of textiles have to be disposed of. This shows the positive effects of well-organized recycling.

At a time when the textile industry is faced with overproduction and the challenge of waste management, the “Textile Race” shows a promising way to create a new awareness of sustainability in society through education and practical measures. When students work together to make the world a little better, there really is a lot in the air.