It all started with a simple question: Why is it so hard to get rid of old clothes responsibly? The more we dug into the world of textile collection and recycling, the more we realized the process is full of inefficiencies, frustrations, and a surprisingly high amount of waste. We knew there had to be a better way—something that bridges the gap between those looking to discard textiles and those who can give these clothes a second life. And that's how ReQloth was born.
The journey of discovery
Like many of you, we’ve often wondered what happens to the clothes we no longer need. You toss them in a dedicated textile bin, thinking you're doing the right thing, but what happens after that?
It turns out the answer isn’t as simple or as sustainable as we’d hoped. Textile collection today is fraught with challenges. With new EU regulations coming into effect in 2025 requiring textiles to be collected and sorted separately, many cities have been caught unprepared, creating additional challenges for textile collection. Whether it's outdoor bring points that expose donations to rain, causing mold and contamination, or the tedious and labor-intensive sorting process that often results in good textiles being wasted, the current system just isn’t working efficiently.
We also discovered that only about 30-35% of textiles are collected for recycling in Europe, and with the upcoming EU regulations, this gap poses an even greater challenge. The rest? Thrown away or exported to other countries. When textiles are gathered, they often end up at massive sorting facilities that require subsidies to function. It’s a complex, costly, and ineffective process. On top of that, there’s the problem of consumer awareness—many of us still don’t know the right way to dispose of textiles.
As we explored these issues, one thing became clear: the textile collection system needed a major rethink. But rather than focusing on more trucks, bins, or subsidies, we realized we needed a smarter solution—one that could use technology to solve the problem at the root. That’s when the idea for ReQloth started taking shape.
The birth of ReQloth
Instead of relying on trucks to collect textiles and sorting facilities to sift through them, we envisioned a direct, digital marketplace where textiles could find new homes with minimal waste. The premise behind ReQloth is simple: What if we could directly connect people looking to get rid of clothes with those who want to buy them—such as second-hand stores, reuse businesses, and industry companies that need specific materials?
With that goal in mind, we developed ReQloth—a platform that makes it easier for anyone to responsibly discard textiles and for businesses or individuals to find valuable, reusable clothing. But ReQloth isn’t just about listing your old clothes for sale; it’s a smart platform that leverages artificial intelligence to streamline the process and ensure both sellers and buyers get the most out of the exchange.
How ReQloth Works
At its core, ReQloth is a platform designed to create a seamless experience for users. Here’s how it works:
1. Easy Listing: Users who want to discard their clothes can easily upload photos of their items through the ReQloth app. The platform’s AI instantly analyzes the garments, assessing quality, material, and reusability. It’s easy and quick to use, filling in all data automatically and estimating the value of your items. ReQloth helps you get rid of all your clothes at once, making the process efficient and hassle-free.
2. Smart Matching: ReQloth’s AI doesn’t just list items for sale—it matches textiles with the most suitable buyers, whether they are second-hand shops, reuse businesses, or industry companies looking for specific materials. The AI-driven algorithm helps buyers find exactly what they need based on condition, material, and style preferences. For companies that buy clothes, ReQloth fulfills purchase requirements, provides needed data to secure the purchase, and helps find specific garments or materials. Since items are sorted at the source, there’s no need for a costly sorting facility.
3. Local Solutions: ReQloth prioritizes local exchanges to reduce the carbon footprint of transportation. Our platform connects people within the same region, helping reduce the environmental impact of textile waste.
By incorporating AI, ReQloth eliminates the need for expensive sorting facilities, lowers costs, and ensures textiles are reused in the most effective way possible. It’s not just about keeping textiles out of landfills; it’s about creating value from items that would otherwise be wasted.
Our vision for the future
We didn’t set out to create another recycling or marketplace app. We set out to change the way we think about waste—especially textile waste. The fashion industry is one of the most polluting sectors in the world, and textile waste plays a huge part in that. With ReQloth, we believe we can make a meaningful dent in that problem by empowering people and businesses to work together for a more sustainable future.
The response so far has been incredible. Second-hand stores, clothing brands, and everyday consumers have shown great interest in a solution that allows for direct, efficient exchanges of textiles. With new EU regulations coming into effect in 2025 that require textiles to be collected and sorted separately, many cities have been caught unprepared. This creates a significant challenge for textile collection, highlighting the urgent need for innovative solutions like ReQloth. This also motivated us to think about how we can tackle this challenging, potentially inefficient cycle of collecting and sorting. We’re ready to be part of the solution.
But this is just the beginning. We envision a world where throwing away textiles becomes a thing of the past, where every garment is given a second life, and where waste is transformed into opportunity. ReQloth is our first step in that direction, and we’re excited to have you join us on this journey.
What’s next?
Over the next few months, we’ll be rolling out ReQloth to beta users and early adopters. We’re currently in the testing phase, working closely with pilot companies to ensure the platform is as seamless and intuitive as possible.
We can’t wait to share this new approach with you. It’s more than just a marketplace—it’s a movement. A movement to reduce waste, connect communities, and make fashion more sustainable for everyone.
Stay tuned for updates on how you can get involved and start using ReQloth to make a difference. Together, we can build a more sustainable future—one piece of clothing at a time.
So, the next time you ask yourself, “Panta kläder?”, remember: with ReQloth, the answer is simple, smart, and sustainable.
Sign up for updates on ReQloth and be the first to know when we launch. Let's make a positive impact on the world—starting with our closets.