The Catalan Association of Municipalities (ACM), in collaboration with the National Association of Portuguese Municipalities (ANMP), the municipality of Prato, the Catalan Waste Agency, and Municipal Waste Europe, organized the workshop “Making Textile Collection Work Locally: The Role of Municipalities in Europe's Circular Transition” in Brussels. The event was part of the European Week of Regions and Cities 2026.
During the meeting, it was highlighted that local authorities play a fundamental role in the success of the transition to a more circular model in the textile sector. Participants agreed that the implementation of new European policies will require close coordination between European Union institutions, national, regional, and local administrations, as well as all stakeholders involved in the textile value chain.
Luís Araújo, president of the Gondomar Municipal Council and representative of the ANMP, shared his municipality's unique experience in managing textile waste. The initiative covers waste management from the selective collection system introduced in 2004 to current challenges related to sorting, reuse, and recycling.
