26 Feb 2026
Representatives of the Municipality of Stara Zagora held a key stakeholder meeting under the European TEXAD project to discuss innovative textile waste management solutions and preparations for an upcoming visit by an international delegation from seven countries. The discussion brought together representatives of the municipality, Trakia University and key business partners, including Medina-Med and Sorico. The meeting forms part of efforts to address the environmental footprint of textiles in the EU, which account for approximately 4–6% of the overall environmental impact.
The meeting featured valuable insights gained during a working visit to Enschede, the Netherlands. The partners from Stara Zagora learned about leading European practices, including:
The regional sorting centre in Twente, which provides a model for the initial sorting of clothing that combines environmental goals with employment opportunities serving a social purpose.
The Frankenhuis production facility, which specialises in mechanically recycling textiles into high-quality raw materials for the automotive and furniture industries.
The innovative SaXcell facility, a leader in chemical recycling, where used cotton is transformed into new cellulose fibres through a closed-loop production process.
Another key item on today’s agenda was the upcoming international visit to Stara Zagora, scheduled for 10–12 March 2026.
The programme for Stara Zagora’s hosting of the TEXAD partners will begin with a detailed presentation of its waste management policy. The international partners will visit the dedicated separate waste collection site to see first-hand how the process is organised. The Municipality of Stara Zagora will present the specific measures and policies it applies to manage textile waste streams effectively and reduce their environmental impact on the urban environment.
An important part of this system is the successful partnership with TexCycle, which provides dedicated containers for the separate collection of clothing and textile products throughout the municipality.
Additional programme activities include visits to Natalia AD’s production facility and the Remix information platform, where the delegation will explore practical examples of the circular economy and sustainable consumption. Guests will also have the opportunity to visit Trakia University to examine the connection between traditional practices and modern environmental solutions in natural fibre production.
“This international meeting is extremely important for Stara Zagora, as it allows us not only to share what we have achieved so far, but also to learn from leading European practices. Active cooperation between local government, the scientific community and businesses is the only way to achieve meaningful, long-term sustainability,” said Ms Raykova, Head of the Department of Investments, Energy Efficiency and Green Transition.
