Kaag en Braassem residents boost textile recycling by 18% in 2025, saving CO2 and costs
Residents of Kaag en Braassem recycled 141,000 kilograms of textiles in 2025, an 18% increase from the previous year. This effort reduces CO2 emissions, saves water, and cuts waste incineration costs, benefiting both the environment and local budgets.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Textiles collected (2025) | 141,000 kilograms |
| Increase from 2024 | 18% |
| Municipality | Kaag en Braassem |
| Collector | Sympany |
| Reuse rate | Over 70% resold in second-hand shops |
| Recycling uses | Insulation material, cleaning cloths, new yarns |
| Environmental impact | Reduced CO2 emissions, water savings, and lower incineration costs |
| Accepted textiles | Clothing, towels, sheets, belts, bags, shoes (clean, dry, and bagged) |
The municipality of Kaag en Braassem collaborates with textile collector Sympany to promote sustainable waste management. Their role includes facilitating recycling initiatives, reducing environmental impact, and encouraging resident participation in circular economy practices.
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Read the full translated article below
More textiles collected in Kaag en Braassem: 141,000 kilos in 2025
Textile collector Sympany and the municipality are very pleased with the amount of textiles collected in 2025 via the textile containers: 141,000 kilograms. That is 18% more than in 2024.
Sympany has given all that textile a new destination. The majority was resold in second-hand shops, the rest was recycled. This also prevented costs for incineration. Charles Graft, director of the Sympany foundation: “A lot has been collected in Kaag en Braassem and we thank the residents for that.”
Major environmental impact
“Textiles are a valuable raw material. By reusing and recycling, fewer new raw materials are needed, which saves a lot of CO2 and water,” explains Charles Graft.
Call to residents
For 2026, the municipality and Sympany are calling on residents not to throw any more textiles in the residual waste, even if it is broken or worn out. The container accepts all household textiles: clothing, towels, sheets, and also belts, bags and shoes. Tie shoes together or put them in a plastic bag. Always deliver textiles clean and dry in a sealed plastic bag to prevent contamination.
What does Sympany do with the collected textiles?
All collected textiles go to one of our three sorting centres. The majority is still wearable (more than 70%) and goes to second-hand shops in the Netherlands and abroad. The rest is recycled and used to make insulation material, cleaning cloths and new yarns.