As part of the European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR), taking place from November 21 to 29, 2026, the Cergy-Pontoise urban community is organizing textile collections in several schools and administrations throughout November and December. The goal is to encourage residents to sort their wardrobes and educate young people about the challenges of textile consumption.
Awareness campaigns are also being conducted with schoolchildren to explain the impact of the textile industry and the importance of extending the lifespan of clothing. Children learn why it's essential to sort textiles, what happens to them after collection, and how they can act daily: donate, repair, reuse, or opt for second-hand.
Accepted items include clothing, even if worn or damaged, shoes (paired), and household linen (sheets, towels, curtains). Textiles must be clean, dry, and placed in a closed bag. After collection, items in good condition can be donated or resold, while damaged textiles are recovered or recycled.
On Friday, November 20, from 2 PM to 7 PM, a clothing repair and customization workshop will be held at LabBoîte, Cergy-Pontoise's fablab, on the Prefecture's forecourt. This event aims to encourage reuse by teaching participants how to transform their favorite items.
In response to rapid clothing consumption, the community highlights the importance of buying less but better, prioritizing second-hand, repairing instead of discarding, and sorting unused textiles. 148 textile collection bins are available year-round in Cergy-Pontoise for clothing, shoes, and household linen.
The eco-organization Refashion also offers the BISOU method (Need, Immediate, Similar, Origin, Utility) as a responsible consumption tool to encourage reflection before making a purchase.
