Used clothing and shoes collection at Relais re-starts, facilitated by State-funded support announced recently
### A New Leaf for Le Relais: Government Aid Boosts French Textile Recycling
After a temporary halt in its collection of used clothing and shoes across France, Le Relais France has resumed operations following a significant government intervention. The company, which handles approximately 80% of France's textile collections, has been at the heart of a push for improved economic conditions in the recycling sector [1][2].
#### Government Support for Textile Recycling
In response to the challenges faced by the textile recycling industry, the French government has announced a substantial aid package. The Ministry of Ecological Transition has allocated €49 million for 2025, with an additional €57 million planned for 2026, to strengthen the system of collection, sorting, reuse, and recycling of clothing and footwear [2][5].
This financial aid is intended to prevent the collapse of the textile waste collection and management system in France. The move reflects the government's commitment to maintaining its environmental policies, including laws against ultra-fast fashion [2].
#### The Impact on Le Relais France
The suspension of Le Relais' collections was a significant step in drawing attention to the sector's pressing needs. However, the recent government intervention may provide a pathway for stabilization and potential resumption of full operations. The financial support is essential for companies like Le Relais, which face significant economic pressures and risk impacting thousands of jobs if aid is withheld [3].
Although specific details on the resumption of full operations have not been disclosed, the aid is expected to facilitate continued discussions on the evolution of the sector in 2026.
#### The State of the Textile Sorting Sector
The textile sorting sector in France is currently saturated due to the rise of ultra-fast fashion. Despite the resumption of Le Relais' collections, containers, which are usually emptied daily, remain saturated as a result of the collection's recent resumption by Le Relais France [1].
The organization that collects contributions on each product sold, Refashion, pays the textile sorting sector a sum previously €156 per tonne, and this aid has not been mentioned as affecting the amount or any changes in the payment [4].
In conclusion, the government's financial support aims to address the systemic challenges faced by the French textile recycling sector. The future of Le Relais' collections will depend on how effectively this aid is implemented and whether it addresses the underlying economic issues.
Le Relais France advises the public not to rush to collection points to drop off bags of clothes due to the saturation of containers following ten days without collection. As of the latest information, Le Relais' activity has resumed in Loiret, Loire-Atlantique, Vendée, Creuse, Brittany, Haute-Vienne, Corrèze, and Burgundy.
- The government's aid package for textile recycling, worth €49 million in 2025 and €57 million in 2026, is aimed at addressing the economic challenges in the sector, reflecting their commitment to environmental policies.
- Financial assistance is essential for companies like Le Relais France, as they face significant economic pressures and could potentially impact thousands of jobs if aid is withheld.
- The resumption of Le Relais France's collections may provide a pathway for stabilization, but the saturation of containers due to the recent resumption suggests that the textile sorting sector in France is still facing strain, particularly due to the rise of ultra-fast fashion.
- In the realm of lifestyle and home-and-garden, the public is advised to carefully manage their clothing contributions to avoid saturating collection points, as the situation remains fluid following the resumption of Le Relais' activities in several regions.
