Key TEXAD Meeting Brings Together Businesses and Institutions to Address Textile Waste

Rositsa Raykova, Head of the Department of Investments, and Veronika Petkova, Chief Expert, held a key working meeting as representatives of the municipality’s TEXAD project team with local institutions and businesses, including Natalia AD and the Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water in Stara Zagora.

The aim was to discuss and adapt to the local context the innovative textile waste management ideas developed during the international visit to the city from 10 to 12 March.

The discussions highlighted a clear priority: introducing more activities within the education system focused on textile recovery and raising awareness. Proposals to encourage reuse included workshops on upcycling old clothes, “textile school” competitions, and dedicated physical spaces where residents could freely exchange or sell items in good condition.

To address the illegal dumping of textiles in outlying areas and villages, participants discussed measures such as introducing monitoring systems and establishing dedicated textile drop-off points.

The municipality’s ultimate goal is to establish a comprehensive local system for collecting, sorting and recycling textile waste. The project will continue with interregional visits to Poland and Portugal in 2026 to exchange experience.