According to EU legislation, EU Member States are obliged to introduce separate collection of textile waste from 1 January 2025. In spite of the date laid down in the Framework Waste Directive, the Ministry speaks about its potential launch as early as in 2024.

According to information from the Ministry, the new system of separate textile collection is supposed to fall under the extended producer responsibility ensured by producer responsibility organisations. That means that the new system will be financed by producers placing textiles on the Slovak market.

The Ministry has already established a working group which deals with the comprehensive issue of managing textile waste. The task of the working group is to set up the entire system including legislation.

Only two facilities currently deal with management of the used textile and clothes in Slovakia. According to the Ministry, the missing facilities for textile separation could be financially supported.

The Ministry of Environment would like to prepare the legislation related to the new obligation this year.