End of Life & Recycling | erlich textil

A product's story doesn't end with its purchase. Find out what you can do with your old erlich pieces - Share, Donate, Reuse, Recycle. From reuse and donations to our recycling system.

What happens to a textile is determined not only by how it is made, but also by how long it is worn and where it ends up.

We show you ways to handle your old erlich products: Share, Donate, Reuse, Recycle!

Did you order an erlich product in the wrong size or simply don't wear it that often anymore? Sharing is caring!

Give it to friends or family members who you know would appreciate it. Or sell your items at flea markets or on suitable online platforms.

We don't throw away items with minor flaws either—instead, they end up in our "mit ecken und kanten" (with edges and corners) outlet at a discount so that someone else can still enjoy them.

Donate - Making material donations

Can no longer find a use for your erlich products, even though they are actually still in good condition? Donate them to a charitable organization of your choice.

Wash and pack your items securely before donating them. Check in advance which items are actually needed and whether they should be donated in new or used condition. Here are a few examples of organizations that accept material donations:

Flüchtlingshilfe Bonn e.V.
Straßenwächter e.V.
Blau-Gelbes Kreuz
EMMAUS Community in Cologne

The "Wohin damit?" (Where does it go?) website helps you find social organizations in your area.

Reuse - Upcycling projects

Are your erlich products showing signs of wear and tear, meaning you can no longer wear them as clothing? Use them for your own upcycling project!

You can make so much out of small amounts of fabric: scrunchies, reusable makeup remover pads, or small cosmetic bags—your creativity is called for! Upcycle your old erlich products and share them on Instagram using the hashtag #erlichgoescircular.

Reward: For your creativity, you will receive a 15% discount code on your next order.

By upcycling, you not only save important resources, but also inspire others to come up with creative solutions for old textiles.

Composting and circular design

More and more companies are advertising "compostable" or "fully circular" products. But what does that actually mean?

The idea behind it: Products that consist exclusively of harmless ingredients and can be returned to a biological (compostable) or technical (recyclable) cycle at the end of their life cycle.

In practice, many textiles consist of mixed fabrics (such as elastane). That is why we focus on wearing and passing on items for as long as possible.

But is composting the best solution? Not quite. Compostable textiles usually have to go to industrial composting plants, and then new textiles have to be produced all over again. That is why we believe it makes sense to continue using old textiles for as long as possible.

Recycle - Our take-back system

You can return your worn erlich items to us after use. Our partner sorts the items: what is still wearable goes into the second-hand section, and the rest is recycled as much as possible. You can find details on our take-back page.

The challenge: Fiber blends like cotton + elastane are difficult to separate and therefore can only be recycled to a limited extent.

Clothing collection containers - The last resort

If your erlich textiles are not suitable for any of the options above, you can toss them in a clothing collection container as a final option. At best, your clothing will then reach a collection or recycling company that determines the best possible reuse through sorting.

Caution: There are also illegal containers run by dubious clothing collectors. You can recognize trustworthy collection points by the DZI donation seal or the FAIRwertung logo.

What really happens to used clothing? In Germany, so many textiles are discarded every year that they exceed the amount of clothing needed for humanitarian purposes. A large proportion is reused—which saves resources compared to recycling—but a lot of used clothing also ends up in countries outside Europe, which is a controversial topic.

Our tip: Donate, share, or upcycle your old erlich products purposefully before disposing of them in a clothing container. If you do: wash the clothes beforehand and pack them in tear-proof and weather-resistant packaging.

Think ahead before you buy

The longer an item is worn, the less often new things need to be bought. At erlich textil, we design simple, timeless cuts that you can combine well. How long an item lasts also depends on how you care for it.

Discover our collection · Take-Back System