Interzero publishes ‘resources SAVED by recycling 2023’ study

Berlin/Cologne. With more recycling and fewer resources wasted, managing raw materials in the loop is an effective lever for countering the exploitation of our planet and preventing a further escalation of the climate crisis. This is clearly demonstrated by the ‘resources SAVED by recycling’ study published today, which shows that Interzero, Europe’s leading circular solutions provider, avoided around 1.2 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions overall in 2023 by recycling approximately 2.5 million tonnes of recyclables. This is equivalent to the annual carbon emissions generated by the textile consumption of 4.5 million EU citizens. At the same time, Interzero and its customers were able to save more than 11.1 million tonnes of primary raw materials, which is equivalent to the textile resources consumed by around 28.6 million people in the EU in a single year.*

“When we look at the recyclability of textiles, it is clear that recycling holds enormous environmental potential – and why it is so urgently important to push ahead with circular transformation at every level,” said Dr Axel Schweitzer, Chairman of Interzero. “This is particularly true of recyclable materials that are not yet systematically recycled.”

Unlike packaging recycling, for example, textile recycling is still in its infancy. While around 92 million tonnes of textiles are thrown away globally each year, just one percent of this huge material flow currently makes it back into production via fibre-to-fibre recycling.

“We want to work with the textiles industry to close its material loop and use our experience as an established integrated services provider to develop a holistic approach to the take-back, sorting and recycling of textiles,” said Dr Axel Schweitzer. “By doing this, we can ease the burden on the environment and help companies to establish circular solutions that make them competitive and fit for the future.”

The clock is ticking, with new EU regulations such as the separate waste collection requirements being introduced in 2025 and plans for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for textiles and the federal government's National Circular Economy Strategy (Nationale Kreiswirtschaftsstrategie, NKWS) increasing the pressure on companies to take action.

For more than 15 years, Interzero has ensured that the environmental impact of recycling is independently and scientifically verified with the aim of informing, educating and presenting solid arguments for the circular transformation of the economy. The annual report on environmental performance published by the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology (UMSICHT) underlines the lasting impact of Interzero’s work – and helps the circular economy service provider’s customers to communicate transparently on sustainability. Interzero was rewarded for its comprehensive commitment to this cause when it collected the 2024 German Sustainability Award in the Waste Management and Recycling Industry category as well as a special award in the Resources field of transformation.

*These comparisons are based on figures from the European Parliament.

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