1. What is the Take-Back System, and why are we introducing it?

With our Take-Back System, you are able to return your used erlich textiles to us so they can be recycled or reused. We decided to implement this system because we believe it’s our responsibility not only to ensure resource-efficient production and durable product design but also to offer proper disposal and recycling options for our textiles. This initiative aims to prevent old clothing from ending up in general waste or landfills and harming the environment. Instead, we are committed to create circular solutions like textile reuse and recycling.

2. How can I return my old clothes to you?

You can send a package of your sorted-out erlich items back to us free of charge once every six months. To do this, simply request a Take-Back return label by emailing fraguns@erlich-textil.de. As a thank-you, you'll receive a 20% discount voucher for your next order!

Please note: This offer currently applies only to items purchased from us. For hygiene reasons, we kindly ask you to wash the items before sending them back.

3. What clothing items can be returned?

In principle, all erlich items can be returned unless they are heavily torn apart or stained. However, we encourage you to consider whether clothing in good condition could be gifted to friends or family or donated instead. This often saves transport costs and valuable resources.

4. What happens to the old clothes?

We’ve partnered with I:Collect, a subsidiary of the SOEX Group, as our collection and recycling partner. The collected erlich textiles are sent to a SOEX sorting facility in Saxony-Anhalt, where they are inspected and sorted by quality. Depending on their condition, the items are either resold or recycled.

Reuse: SOEX sells second-hand clothes through shops like Pick’n‘weight or exports them abroad. From an ecological perspective, reusing textiles is the most sustainable option, as it avoids the resource use involved in recycling.

Recycling: Recycling is divided into Closed Loop Recycling and Open Loop Recycling.

• Closed Loop Recycling keeps materials in a closed cycle, allowing them to be reused for the same purpose, such as creating new clothing.
• Open Loop Recycling uses recycled fibres for other industries, such as automotive or construction.
  I:CO, together with SOEX, supports the development of innovative recycling methods and collaborates with international research institutes and recycling companies. You can find more information here.

5. Textile collection is often criticised - what is our stance?

As with all our initiatives, we aim to transparently present both the advantages and disadvantages of our Take-Back System and explain why we decided to implement it. Over the years, textile collection has faced criticism, particularly regarding the export of used clothing to non-European markets like Africa. This raises concerns about how such trade impacts local textile industries.

Our collection partner, I:CO (SOEX), also resells used textiles to non-European countries. Despite the controversies, we’ve chosen to cooperate with them, and here’s why:

1. Reusing textiles is the most sustainable solution, as recycling still requires significant resources.
2. The volume of used clothing exceeds the demand for donations and second-hand items locally.
3. According to I:CO, only 1% of collected underwear is resold, with the majority being directed into recycling streams. In our case, most items will not end up abroad.
4. Collection and recycling companies currently rely on the resale of textiles, as textile recycling alone is not yet profitable.
5. I:CO has demonstrated that exporting textiles does not directly correlate with the decline of textile industries in some countries (see I:CO’s Q&A).

In our view, proper reuse and recycling of old textiles are crucial steps toward a circular economy. However, these must be paired with degrowth, meaning reduced consumption and production. Before buying any clothing, think twice about whether you really need it and take care of it so it lasts as long as possible. Only by reducing textile consumption and production, we can minimise the social and environmental impacts caused by mountains of discarded clothing.