Abstract
While textile recycling plays a pivotal role in the EU’s circular economy agenda, little is known about how citizens currently perceive their level of information, what content they deem essential, and where they expect to find it. This exploratory trend study (n=450) in the Augsburg region, Germany, examines self-assessed knowledge gaps, preferred information sources, and ideal placement of guidance regarding textile disposal. Using an online survey, we analyze: Perceived information deficits, expected communicators, and preferred channels. Preliminary results indicate that practical instructions and transparency about textile reuse paths are top priorities, yet current communication often fails to reach users at decision points (e.g., near containers or at home). Notably, municipalities and media are seen as the most important sources, while family/friend and influencers remain underleveraged. Participants also demand clear instruction what should be disposed in the used textile containers and the reuse paths of the textiles. Additionally, participants favor the display of information right at the used textile containers and via online media (e.g. websites, social media). The study highlights the importance of user centric communication when it comes to textile recycling as the consumer decides about the fate of their textile. Though not representative, these insights provide early evidence for designing user-centered communication tools—critical for scaling textile recycling across diverse EU contexts. We discuss implications for local authorities, campaign designers, and the EU Textiles Strategy, advocating for multi-channel, audience-segmented approaches to close the information-action gap.
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
Economic, Social, and Cultural Context
KEYWORDS
Textile Recycling, Consumer Behavior, Communication, Used Textiles, Waste Management
