Ermelo students compete in Textiel Race to tackle textile waste and win
Students in Ermelo are racing to collect and recycle old textiles, aiming to reduce waste and raise awareness about sustainable fashion. Residents can support them by donating unwanted textiles, helping the school win while making a positive environmental impact.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Textiel Race 2026 |
| Duration | March 23 – April 16, 2026 |
| Participating School | Bernhardschool (Group 6), Ermelo |
| Organizer | Municipality of Ermelo, in collaboration with Textiel Race initiative |
| Annual Textile Waste | ~10 kg per person in the Netherlands incinerated |
| How to Help | Register textiles at www.textielrace.nl |
| Alderman Present | Ronald van Veen |
The municipality of Ermelo supports initiatives like the Textiel Race to promote sustainability and circular economy practices among residents, particularly youth. Local government bodies often collaborate with schools and NGOs to foster environmental awareness and community engagement.
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Read the full translated article below
Alderman Ronald van Veen launches Textiel Race 2026
From March 23 to April 16, Group 6 of the Bernhardschool in Ermelo will participate in the Textiel Race. For four weeks, the students will compete with other schools in the region to collect as much old textiles as possible. Textiles that are not discarded but are reused, repaired, or recycled.
Today marked the kick-off of the Textiel Race at Prins Bernhard primary school. Alderman Ronald van Veen was present to wish the students good luck. Following this, the children received a guest lecture on the impact of textiles. They learned more about issues in the textile chain, such as poor working conditions and the destruction of overproduction. Even in the Netherlands, there is still room for improvement: annually, about ten kilograms of textiles per person end up in the residual waste container and are incinerated. This can and must change.
Textiel Race
During the Textiel Race, schools compete against each other. They take action by collecting discarded textiles in the neighborhood, repairing damaged textiles, and campaigning for better handling of our belongings. For each action, schools earn points. After four weeks, the winning school will be announced.
Can you help?
Do you live in Ermelo? Then you can help the students of the Prins Bernhardschool win the competition. Bring your old textiles—from torn sweaters and worn-out socks to curtains and towels. Register your textiles between March 23 and April 16 via www.textielrace.nl. The students will then collect them from your home free of charge.