Humana launches pilot for automated textile collection system

The non-profit organisation is championing automated clothing collection. Humana has launched a pilot programme in Spain using smart containers for used clothing, as part of the European TexMat project, with the aim of assessing the quality of garments deposited and rewarding citizens for their donations.

The project is at an early stage and has €6.25 million in funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme. This initiative will run until March 2029 and includes pilot trials in Spain and Finland, structured in phases to explore the implementation of a Europe-wide deposit return system for used textiles.

The initiative is supported by a consortium of 14 partners from seven EU countries and is led by the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. In Spain, participants include institutions such as the Universidade da Coruña, Humana Fundación Pueblo para Pueblo, and the technology companies IRIS Technology Solutions and Rovimatica, which are collaborating on the development of the digital platform, the smart container and the associated business models.

‘Through automated collection and sorting, the TexMat solution directly contributes to the development of the future digital product passport and paves the way for a successful extended producer responsibility system for textiles,’ said Ece Şanlı, a circular economy expert at Humana, noting that the project also ‘rewards citizens for making responsible choices and encourages greater participation in a circular textile economy.’

Humana Fundación Pueblo para Pueblo was founded in 1987 with the aim of protecting the environment through textile reuse and improving the living conditions of communities in developing countries. In 2024, Humana shops sold around 7.6 million garments, cementing its position as one of the leading names in sustainable and second-hand fashion in Spain.