Preparatory work is already underway at the Sogama environmental complex in Cerceda to build a public facility dedicated to sorting textile waste. The project, designed to strengthen the circular economy in Galicia, has a budget of €22,4 million, with €10,2 million financed by the Recovery and Resilience Facility , and has begun with the initial earthworks on the site designated for the facility.
The new facility will occupy approximately 8.000 m² and will start with a treatment capacity of 3.000 tons per year , which can be scaled up to 24.000 tons per year depending on demand. It will be the first public plant of its kind in Galicia and is aligned with regulations promoting the separate collection of textiles and the incorporation of recycled fiber into products in the sector.
Location and scope of the project
The facility is integrated into the Sogama Environmental Complex in Cerceda, allowing for logistical and operational synergies. The goal is to minimize the disposal of textiles , a waste stream that currently ends up largely in landfills , with the resulting environmental and health impacts. To better understand the importance of these facilities, you can consult this article on integrated waste management.
The project acts as a lever for the circularity of textiles in the community, responding to the increase in consumption associated with fast-moving fashion and facilitating the reuse of garments and materials through new utilization chains.
Calendar, investment and employment
Official forecasts place the entry into service in June 2026 , following a phase of civil works and technological commissioning. The budget amounts to €22,4 million , with a significant portion coming from European funds, which accelerates the execution and ensures current efficiency standards.
In terms of employment, the project is estimated to create between 16 and 30 direct jobs in successive phases of operation, giving priority to people with disabilities or at risk of social exclusion . This approach reinforces the social character of the project, beyond its environmental and economic dimensions.
The execution of the works has been awarded to the joint venture Espina Obras Hidráulicas-Setec Building , which will assume the construction and deployment of the infrastructure according to the planned schedule.
Sustainable design and treatment process
The building will adhere to sustainable architecture principles : the use of recycled materials, durable and easy-to-maintain solutions, and a life cycle assessment to evaluate impacts from manufacturing to operation. For more information on sustainable technologies and strategies for waste management, you can consult this article on eco-design.
Natural lighting will be prioritized to reduce electricity demand and water-saving measures will be integrated , all accompanied by systems that reduce consumption and environmental footprint in daily operations.
In the operation, textile waste entering the plant will undergo a pre-sorting process that separates garments suitable for reuse , giving them a second life in the textile waste management cycle. These garments can then be recycled through advanced chemical recycling processes.
The remaining materials will be sorted by composition and color using artificial intelligence , which will also allow the removal of inappropriate items and accessories such as buttons and zippers that interfere with the recycling process.
Once separated, the fabrics will be compacted into bales for shipment to recycling plants , where they will be transformed into recycled textile fiber. Their use in insulation applications or other compatible industrial uses is also being considered .
Materials that cannot be reused or recycled will be used for energy recovery , avoiding their disposal in landfills, an option that has greater impacts on the environment and public health.
Regulatory context and textile consumption in the EU
The plant will contribute to compliance with the state law on waste and contaminated soils for a circular economy, which requires municipalities to implement separate collection of textiles from 2025 and companies in the sector to incorporate recycled fiber into their products. For more information, we recommend consulting this link.
The initiative aims to reverse a still widespread reality: a large proportion of textile waste ends up in landfills , driven by fast-paced consumer fashion , which puts significant pressure on resources and the climate. To understand how these measures promote responsible management, you can visit this analysis of trends in sustainable clothing.
According to the European Environment Agency, average consumption in the EU rose from 17 kg in 2019 to 19 kg per person in 2022 for clothing, footwear, and home textiles—an increase that underscores the need for more circular models from the design stage . To learn more about circularity in the sector, see here for information on innovation and awards in textile recycling.
European policies promote ecodesign criteria, the reduction of hazardous substances , and improved environmental performance throughout the supply chain—goals with which this plant is fully aligned . To better understand the benefits of ecodesign, we invite you to read this article on ecodesign.
With the project already underway, a finalized budget, and a clear roadmap, Cerceda is preparing to transform textile waste management in Galicia: a public infrastructure that combines innovation, inclusive employment, and sustainability to reduce landfilling, increase reuse, and consolidate recycling as the preferred option.
