Repair, exchange, upcycles: Berlin's long night The textile savior!

Repair, exchange, upcycles: Berlin's long night The textile savior!

On April 25, 2025, the “Long Night of Textile Saving” will take place in Berlin, which was initiated by the A-Gain Guide. The aim of this event is to promote repair, exchange and upcycling clothing. Various shops, labels and initiatives, the participants should be motivated to discover resource -friendly, creative and community fashion alternatives. These initiatives are in the context of the current challenges in the fashion industry, where less than 1% of the clothing in Berlin are recycled, as a material flow analysis by Circular Berlin and the Circle Economy Foundation shows.

In today's fashion industry, the concept of the circular economy (Circular Fashion) has become increasingly important. Almost fashion causes millions of tons of textile waste annual, which underlines the need for a sustainable transformation of industry. The aim of the circular economy is to extend the life cycles of textiles and optimize resource use. This sustainable approach stands out from the traditional linear economy in which clothing is often produced, used and finally thrown away.

circular economy and recycling

A central element of the circular economy is recycling. In sustainable fashion, textiles are considered valuable raw materials that can be used again and again. Innovative approaches from the fashion industry, such as the use of recycled polyester from old PET bottles or used clothes, have increased in recent years. Brands such as Patagonia and H&M already have products in their range that consist of recycled materials and thus reduce the need for new raw materials.

In addition, upcycling is increasingly gaining popularity. Used clothes are converted into new products. The aim is to reuse materials and at the same time increase the quality and the value of the end products. Some companies rely on take-back programs through which customers can return old clothes. These broken or unused clothing are either recycled or prepared to create new collections. Such processes not only reduce waste, but also effectively close the production cycle.

The future of fashion

The focus on circular economy clearly shows that sustainable fashion is possible. By investing in recycling technologies and the extension of the lifespan of clothing, companies can significantly contribute to reducing resource waste. The "Long Night of Textile Savers" will not only be an event to celebrate creative alternatives in fashion, but also an important step towards a more environmentally conscious future of the textile industry.

such as Textilwirtschaft. Further information on the topic can also be found on Frontiers and and Mode-News.