A new regulation has been in force in the European Union since 1 January: the so-called separate collection obligation. This regulation stipulates that used textiles must be disposed of separately and may no longer end up in residual waste. The aim is to promote the transition to a circular economy in the EU member states. The regulation is part of the "Waste Framework Directive", which aims to promote more sustainable recycling processes in the textile industry.
However, the German Textile Recycling Association (FTR) warns against misinterpreting the new requirements, which could have serious consequences for the textile recycling system that has been established for decades. In particular, there is a risk that charitable organisations such as the Red Cross or Caritas, as well as textile recycling companies, could effectively be downgraded to free waste disposal companies.
According to the FTR, only "dry, usable clothing, shoes and household textiles" belong in the used clothing containers. Contaminated or non-recyclable textile waste, rags or cleaning cloths, on the other hand, should be disposed of in residual waste. If contaminated materials are nevertheless disposed of via the existing used clothing systems, there is a risk of cross-contamination: usable, clean clothing is contaminated by colour residues, oils, solvents, moisture and germs and thus rendered unusable. Ultimately, a considered decision must be made in each individual case. But what does all of this mean for the special case of Speaker Cloth, for example, if you are re-covering boxes with our fabrics?
The topic of polyester
Our Speaker Cloths are made of 100 per cent polyester, one of the most commonly used chemical fibres in the textile industry. Due to its dimensional stability and ease of care, polyester is an important component of clothing, home textiles and technical textiles. However, the fibre is also subject to criticism: enormous amounts of resources are used every year for textiles that are often disposed of after just a few wear cycles. Around 85 per cent of textile waste in the EU comes from used textiles - and the proportion of polyester is constantly increasing. The fast fashion industry in particular is fuelling this trend with rapidly changing collections of "plastic clothes" at low prices.
We therefore advocate making a conscious decision against fast fashion. Clothing made from natural fibres such as cotton or wool not only has a better environmental footprint, but is also more comfortable to wear. Who hasn't experienced the unpleasant sweat stains on nylon clothing that quickly become a nuisance on warm days? Merino wool, a natural fibre, is now in vogue even for functional clothing: the clothing may look less spectacular, but it has a pleasant temperature-regulating effect even in summer and does not smell.
Speaker Cloth: Sustainable use instead of disposable product
Despite the general criticism of polyester, the fibre has clear advantages in its special application as a cover fabric for loudspeakers. Together with our special manufacturing processes, it can best guarantee the highest possible acoustic transparency and optimum installation with good opacity. The overall ecological balance of Speaker Cloth made of polyester is more positive than is often assumed, as it is not disposed of shortly after purchase, but is used sustainably. Anyone who goes to the trouble of re-cladding loudspeakers is unlikely to replace the covering fabric within a few weeks.
In contrast to natural materials such as cotton or linen, the amount of chemicals and processing aids used in the production and further processing of fibres and fabrics from production to spinning, knitting, dyeing and finishing is rather low in direct comparison. Furthermore, no additional treatment with toxic substances is required to prevent pest infestation during storage and use, as would be absolutely necessary for wool, for example.
Unlike cheap goods from the Far East, which can often be found on online marketplaces, our high-quality products are guaranteed to be free from harmful chemicals and are also designed for an extremely long service life. They will remain attractive for many years unless a cat's paw or a mishap thwarts the plan.
Where it makes technical and economic sense, we use recycled polyester. It has identical material properties and offers the same benefits, while reducing energy requirements and CO₂ emissions during material extraction and conserving resources. Our "plus" Speaker Cloth therefore consists of 80 per cent recycled polyester.
Correct disposal: what to do with Speaker Cloth remnants?
And what is the best way to dispose of Speaker Cloth? If the old, unsightly upholstery fabric is clean and free of adhesive residue or other contaminants, you should actually put it in the clothing collection. This has the best chance of it being recycled and not immediately incinerated as residual waste.