Over 80% of Dutch Consumers Value Clothing Recycling, Study Reveals
In a recent comprehensive survey conducted by Reju™, a leading company focused on textile regeneration, over 1,000 Dutch consumers shared their views on the significance of clothing recycling. The results demonstrated that while a strong majority, 82.7%, of respondents consider clothing recycling to be important, fewer than half (less than 50%) believe that donated clothing is actually recycled. This discrepancy raises questions about public trust in textile recycling systems.
Reju is on a mission to innovate textile recycling solutions, particularly for post-consumer polyester textiles and PET plastic bottles extracted from waste streams. The company's vision emphasizes establishing a circular textile system that recycles materials, moving away from traditional linear disposal methods. With the ongoing development of their first large-scale regeneration center in Chemelot, Sittard-Geleen, Netherlands, Reju is positioning itself at the forefront of the textile recycling industry.
Despite the high percentage of consumers who value recycling, the sense of trust is lacking. According to the findings, while 82.7% of respondents regard recycling as a priority, less than 50% are confident that the clothing they donate will have a second life. In fact, nearly half of the participants indicated they would recycle additional clothing if they were assured of the effectiveness of the existing system.
Dutch consumers generally see themselves as responsible garment buyers. A whopping 80.9% reported they primarily purchase clothing they regularly wear, and 82.8% choose items for long-term use. Impulsive purchases appear to be quite rare; only 8.6% admitted they are likely to make spontaneous clothing purchases.
When it comes to the fate of unworn clothing, the majority prefer donating over reselling. More than 75% are likely to donate through collection schemes, which are essential for funneling post-consumer textile waste into a circular system, preventing incineration or landfill disposal. However, reselling on secondhand platforms is significantly less favored, with only 15.1% reporting that they sell their clothes this way. Additionally, only 11.6% say they are likely to throw old clothing in with household waste, with more than 73% considering this unlikely.
Consumer uncertainty poses a barrier to adopting circular habits. Despite a willingness to contribute to sustainable clothing consumption, doubts persist regarding the efficacy of existing collection and recycling systems. A significant portion of respondents is unable to determine whether the donated clothing really gets recycled or how value is created in the textile supply chain.
Patrik Frisk, CEO of Reju, stated, "The results indicate that consumers are open to adopting more sustainable clothing practices, but transparency and trust are crucial for encouraging circular behaviors. Reju aims to foster a more transparent and circular textile value chain with our partners, providing consumers with detailed information on what happens to discarded textiles and demonstrating that clothing can indeed be transformed into new raw materials. Our planned facility in Chemelot is set to help scale this circular system."
The findings not only reflect a readiness among consumers to engage in more sustainable clothing practices but also underscore the need for a conscious effort to build trust within the sector. By enhancing transparency regarding the fate of discarded and collected textiles and investing in innovative recycling technologies, the textile value chain can be further strengthened, pushing the industry toward a more sustainable future.
About Reju: Reju is dedicated to material recovery, focusing on innovative solutions for the regeneration of polyester fabric waste and used PET containers. The company, which is part of Technip Energies, utilizes technology developed by IBM Research and strives to unlock endless possibilities within a resource-constrained world. Its mission includes creating a global circular system for textile recycling that provides a closed-loop recovery and reuse process for polyester fabrics. More information is available on their website: https://www.reju.com/.
About Technip Energies: Technip Energies is a global leader in technology and engineering, contributing to critical markets like energy, energy derivatives, decarbonization, and closed-loop systems. With over 18,000 employees in 35 countries, the company is dedicated to connecting prosperity with sustainability for the planet's long-term survival. In 2025, Technip Energies reported revenues of €7.2 billion, and its shares are listed on the Euronext Paris exchange, along with American depositary receipts traded on the over-the-counter market. For further details, please visit www.ten.com.
Reju is on a mission to innovate textile recycling solutions, particularly for post-consumer polyester textiles and PET plastic bottles extracted from waste streams. The company's vision emphasizes establishing a circular textile system that recycles materials, moving away from traditional linear disposal methods. With the ongoing development of their first large-scale regeneration center in Chemelot, Sittard-Geleen, Netherlands, Reju is positioning itself at the forefront of the textile recycling industry.
Despite the high percentage of consumers who value recycling, the sense of trust is lacking. According to the findings, while 82.7% of respondents regard recycling as a priority, less than 50% are confident that the clothing they donate will have a second life. In fact, nearly half of the participants indicated they would recycle additional clothing if they were assured of the effectiveness of the existing system.
Dutch consumers generally see themselves as responsible garment buyers. A whopping 80.9% reported they primarily purchase clothing they regularly wear, and 82.8% choose items for long-term use. Impulsive purchases appear to be quite rare; only 8.6% admitted they are likely to make spontaneous clothing purchases.
When it comes to the fate of unworn clothing, the majority prefer donating over reselling. More than 75% are likely to donate through collection schemes, which are essential for funneling post-consumer textile waste into a circular system, preventing incineration or landfill disposal. However, reselling on secondhand platforms is significantly less favored, with only 15.1% reporting that they sell their clothes this way. Additionally, only 11.6% say they are likely to throw old clothing in with household waste, with more than 73% considering this unlikely.
Consumer uncertainty poses a barrier to adopting circular habits. Despite a willingness to contribute to sustainable clothing consumption, doubts persist regarding the efficacy of existing collection and recycling systems. A significant portion of respondents is unable to determine whether the donated clothing really gets recycled or how value is created in the textile supply chain.
Patrik Frisk, CEO of Reju, stated, "The results indicate that consumers are open to adopting more sustainable clothing practices, but transparency and trust are crucial for encouraging circular behaviors. Reju aims to foster a more transparent and circular textile value chain with our partners, providing consumers with detailed information on what happens to discarded textiles and demonstrating that clothing can indeed be transformed into new raw materials. Our planned facility in Chemelot is set to help scale this circular system."
The findings not only reflect a readiness among consumers to engage in more sustainable clothing practices but also underscore the need for a conscious effort to build trust within the sector. By enhancing transparency regarding the fate of discarded and collected textiles and investing in innovative recycling technologies, the textile value chain can be further strengthened, pushing the industry toward a more sustainable future.
About Reju: Reju is dedicated to material recovery, focusing on innovative solutions for the regeneration of polyester fabric waste and used PET containers. The company, which is part of Technip Energies, utilizes technology developed by IBM Research and strives to unlock endless possibilities within a resource-constrained world. Its mission includes creating a global circular system for textile recycling that provides a closed-loop recovery and reuse process for polyester fabrics. More information is available on their website: https://www.reju.com/.
About Technip Energies: Technip Energies is a global leader in technology and engineering, contributing to critical markets like energy, energy derivatives, decarbonization, and closed-loop systems. With over 18,000 employees in 35 countries, the company is dedicated to connecting prosperity with sustainability for the planet's long-term survival. In 2025, Technip Energies reported revenues of €7.2 billion, and its shares are listed on the Euronext Paris exchange, along with American depositary receipts traded on the over-the-counter market. For further details, please visit www.ten.com.
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