Over 80% of Dutch Consumers Value Clothes Recycling But Distrust Current Systems

The Current State of Clothes Recycling in the Netherlands

A recent survey conducted by Reju™, a leading textile regeneration company, revealed that more than 80% of Dutch consumers consider the recycling of clothing important. However, less than half believe that donated clothes actually get recycled. This statistic underscores a crucial gap between consumer awareness and confidence in clothing recycling systems.

Consumer Confidence in Recycling

The research enlisted over 1,000 Dutch respondents to explore their attitudes towards textile waste and recycling practices. The findings show a notable disparity; while 82.7% of consumers affirm the importance of clothing recycling, only 47% are confident that collected items are given a second life. This lack of confidence significantly impacts consumer behavior. Nearly half of the respondents indicated they would recycle more if they had greater trust in the system.

Awareness of Sustainable Consumption

In the realm of clothing consumption, Dutch consumers picture themselves as responsible buyers. The survey highlights that more than 80% primarily purchase items they intend to use frequently (80.9%) or over an extended period (82.8%). Impulse buying appears to be rare, with only 8.6% confessing they are likely to buy clothing on a whim. Similarly, purchasing for specific occasions is viewed with skepticism by 58% of participants.

Donation vs. Resale Practices

When it comes to disposing of unwanted clothes, a significant majority—over 75%—prefer to donate their items through collection systems. Such systems play a pivotal role in integrating textile waste into a circular textile economy, thereby reducing the volume that ends up incinerated or in landfills. However, resale through second-hand platforms remains considerably less popular; only 15.1% of participants report selling their clothes via these channels. The practice of discarding clothes with general household waste is also infrequent, with only 11.6% likely to do so.

The Pressure of Uncertainty

Despite a readiness to engage in more sustainable clothing practices, persistent doubts exist about the effectiveness of current collection and recycling systems. A sizeable portion of respondents is unclear on whether collected clothing is indeed repurposed or what role various stakeholders in the textile supply chain play in the recycling process.

Patrik Frisk, CEO of Reju, commented on the survey results, emphasizing the critical nature of transparency and trust for nurturing circular behaviors among consumers. He stated, "The findings suggest an eagerness among consumers to embrace more sustainable clothing habits, yet transparency is essential to foster these practices."

Aiming for a Circular and Transparent Future

Reju's commitment involves developing a more transparent and circular textile value chain with its partners. They aim to enhance consumer visibility regarding the fate of discarded textiles and demonstrate the potential of transforming these garments into new raw materials. The upcoming facility in Chemelot is intended to scale this circular system.

These findings suggest a clear willingness among consumers to adopt more sustainable clothing practices. However, much work remains to bolster trust in the sector. By improving transparency on the fate of discarded and collected textiles and investing in innovative recycling technologies, the textile circular value chain can be further strengthened.

About Reju

Reju develops innovative solutions aimed at regenerating post-consumer polyester textiles and PET waste. Founded on technology originating from IBM Research, Reju strives to unlock limitless possibilities from finite resources and establish a global circular recycling system for textiles. For further information, visit Reju.

About the Research

Conducted in April 2026 by Multiscope, a specialized Dutch market research agency, the survey included 1,006 consumers from the Netherlands, providing insights into their beliefs and behaviors regarding clothing purchase and disposal.