Only Part of Textiles Gets a Second Life
In Latvia, used textiles are sorted: clean and undamaged items are sold locally and exported to Georgia and Africa, while worn-out cotton products are turned into technical rags that end up in household goods stores and auto service centers.
Only a portion of used textile products in Latvia finds a second life. Depending on their condition, they are directed to different destinations.
Clean, un torn, and still usable garments and other textile items are sold within Latvia. A portion of these products is exported to Georgia as well as to countries in Africa, where they are sold on the secondary market.
Cotton products that are no longer suitable for wearing or further use are processed into technical rags. These rags end up in household goods stores, where they can be purchased for various purposes, such as cleaning. They are also supplied to auto service centers, where they are used as technical material.
This system extends the life cycle of textile products and reduces waste, but only a fraction of all collected textiles get the opportunity for a second life.
