Advancing Circularity in Textiles Through Strategic Partnerships
Introduction
In recognition of the International Day of Zero Waste, we reaffirm our commitment to rethinking waste and contributing to a more sustainable future. At TEXTILE house, making the most of every material is an essential part of our operations.
As part of our broader commitment to keeping materials in use, reinforcing circular economy principles and supporting the Slovak supply chain, TEXTILE house works with partners to maximize textile reuse and recycling. Among these collaborations, our work with LYKOTEX, a Slovak company specializing in textile recycling, ensures that even non-reusable textiles find a second life.

A cleaning cloth made by LYKOTEX from post-consumer textiles supplied by TEXTILE house and sold in one of TEXTILE house’s shops in Slovakia.

Outcome

As the impact continues to grow, this initiative showcases how collaboration can drive circularity in the textile sector. It demonstrates our commitment to finding solutions beyond reuse, reducing waste and advancing sustainable solutions, all of which align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (9, 12, 17) and the EU’s Circular Economy Action Plan.

Challenges

One of the challenges in maintaining the circular flow of textiles is the inability to reuse certain materials. While reuse is the most sustainable option, many textiles are unsuitable for direct resale due to factors like damage, which can include physical wear and tear, stains, fading, shrinkage, fabric degradation, or structural weaknesses such as tears, holes

Furthermore, we recognize the complexities of material composition, such as blends that are difficult to recycle. These challenges drive our ongoing efforts to explore innovative recycling solutions and develop new ways to keep textiles in circulation.

Action: A collaboration with LYKOTEX

Our partnership with LYKOTEX addresses these challenges by repurposing non-reusable textiles that might otherwise be discarded. LYKOTEX uses these textiles to create new products, contributing to waste reduction and reinforcing local recycling efforts in Slovakia.

These products, made from non-reusable post-consumer textiles provided by TEXTILE house, are also sold in our own chain of second-hand shops. By offering them for sale, we give customers the opportunity to actively participate in a circular economy. With every purchase, customers can contribute even more to minimizing waste and promoting sustainability.

This initiative is one of the first large-scale efforts in Europe to integrate textile sorting, recycling and second-hand retail, demonstrating a circular business model and strengthening the local supply chain.

On the International Day of Zero Waste, we highlight this approach as a step toward minimizing waste and reinforcing circular practices, serving as a practical example of how businesses can go beyond traditional resale and actively contribute to a more circular and responsible industry.