Santiago de Compostela hosts the launch of a pioneering project Textile recycling program promoted by the Xunta de Galicia (Galician Regional Government) in the Public Network of Hostels along the Camino de Santiago. The initiative aims to make the most of the large amount of clothing, footwear, and sheets discarded at the end of the pilgrimage routes.
With this pilot program, the Galician Administration intends to give a second life to textile waste generated by pilgrims and establishments, integrating the management of these materials into a circular economy model and reinforcing the role of the Camino as a benchmark for sustainable tourism in Spain.
Santiago de Compostela, March 10, 2026
The Xunta de Galicia has officially presented a pilot project for textile recycling in public hostels of the XacobeoThe project, designed to recover waste generated during hikers' stays and in the daily operation of accommodations, was announced at the Monte do Gozo hostel, one of the most iconic landmarks for those arriving at the gates of the Galician capital.
During the event, the Director of Tourism of Galicia, Xosé MerellesHe emphasized that this program is part of the Galician government's strategy to consolidate the Camino de Santiago as an increasingly environmentally friendly destination. He indicated that it involves make use of textiles such as sheets, clothing or footwear which would otherwise end up in the waste container once the pilgrimage experience was over.
The general director of Environmental Quality and Sustainability, MarÃa José EchevarrÃaShe also participated in the presentation, reinforcing the message that tourism and environmental protection must go hand in hand. Collaboration between the tourism and environment sectors is considered key for the model to be extended to other public accommodations in the coming months.
Merelles noted that the Xacobeo Public Hostel Network has been accumulating awards for its commitment to sustainability. In 2025, a total of 25 hostels in this network obtained the S mark for Sustainable Tourism.This distinction recognizes good environmental practices and responsible management. Currently, 31 hostels in Galicia already hold this accreditation.
This continued work recently earned the network the Q Award 2026 from the Institute for Spanish Tourism Quality and Sustainability (ICTES), which highlights the effort made in implementing quality criteria and respect for the environment in the management of accommodations for pilgrims.
A pilot project in three strategic hostels along the Camino
The Xunta's project will begin with an initial phase in three shelters of the Xacobeo Public Network: Monte do Gozo, San Lázaro and FisterraAll of them are located at points with high pilgrim traffic, where a significant volume of textile waste is concentrated after completing the route.
Monte do Gozo and San Lázaro are located at the entrance to Santiago de Compostela through the The French Way, the most traveled route by those who make the pilgrimage on foot, by bicycle, or on horseback. Fisterra, for its part, is one of the most common final destinations for those who decide to extend the experience to the Galician Atlantic coast.
These three establishments will be equipped Specific containers for the selective collection of clothing, footwear and other textiles that users no longer wish to keep after completing their walk. The goal is to provide pilgrims with a clear and accessible place to deposit clothing that can still be transformed into new materials.
The system also includes the collection of sheets used daily in hostelsso that textiles used indoors are not wasted once their useful life as bedding is over. This service will be available in the three pilot centers, but is not limited to them.
To make better use of resources, the Public Network's route staff will be responsible for transferring sheets from other establishments to these hostels that are not directly part of the pilot project. In this way, textile waste is concentrated in a few points from which the entire recycling process will be channeled.
The Galician government anticipates that, once the results of this first stage have been evaluated, the model can be further developed. progressively expand to the rest of the public hostel network throughout 2026. Currently, the Xacobeo Public Hostel Network has 77 establishments and more than 3.000 accommodation places, so the potential for collecting textile waste is considerable.
Clothing, footwear and sheets transformed into new products
The heart of the project lies in the ability to transforming discarded clothing, footwear and sheets into new raw materials that they re-enter the production cycle. To this end, the Xunta is collaborating with two companies specializing in this area.
On the one hand, there is Insert, a company dedicated to the treatment of textile waste and other materials, which will be in charge of processing what is collected in the shelters' containers, linked to a textile recycling and socio-labor inclusion project. For another, SamaÃn Community Services It assumes operational implementation in the Public Network of Hostels, in addition to environmental management and technical monitoring of the project.
The work plan stipulates that Footwear can be repurposed into materials for furniture, flooring, cladding, or fillings, taking advantage of the properties of the soles and other components, and is part of initiatives to Textile recycling in EuropeThus, shoes worn by a pilgrim can end up becoming part of the pavement or insulation of a new space.
In the case of clothing, the textile fibers will be processed to to produce new yarns intended for garment makingIn other words, the t-shirts, trousers, or fleece jackets that are discarded after the Camino de Santiago can end up being integrated into the manufacture of other textile items, reducing the demand for virgin raw materials and aligning with the future of regenerative fashion.
The sheets, meanwhile, will be reused for the manufacturing of various products such as technical fabrics, reusable bags, uniforms, bedding or towelsThis approach allows for extending the useful life of hospitality textiles, which are usually renewed fairly frequently for reasons of hygiene and comfort, and complements other initiatives in Europe.
Circular economy and 100% circularity
The Xunta highlights that the program is fully part of a circular economy model applied to tourism and waste managementThe intention is to minimize waste generation as much as possible and convert what was previously considered garbage into usable resources for new production chains.
According to those in charge of the project, the system is designed to achieve a 100% circularityThis means that, during the treatment process, no new waste will be generated, and that all recovered materials will be reintroduced into the economic circuit as secondary raw materials.
This approach aligns with the goals set by the European Union regarding waste management and efficient use of resources, as well as with state and regional policies for reduce the volume of textile waste that ends up in landfills or incinerators, including measures such as binding reuse and recycling targetsThe textile sector is one of those that receives the most pressure in terms of environmental impact, which is why initiatives like this take on special value.
Furthermore, the entire process will have a system of traceability that will allow tracking the journey of textile waste From the moment they are deposited in the containers until their final transformation into new products, this information will be key to measuring the program's effectiveness and identifying potential improvements.
Thanks to this traceability, the Xunta will be able to calculate the avoided carbon footprint by recovering and recycling these materials instead of producing new raw materials. The data will be used to quantify the greenhouse gas emission savings associated with the project and to transparently communicate the results to the public.
A network of hostels recognized for its sustainability
The launch of this recycling project did not come out of nowhere, but rather adds to ongoing work on sustainability within the Xacobeo Public Hostel NetworkIn recent years, the network has focused on improving energy efficiency, optimizing water consumption, reducing waste, and promoting good practices among users.
As a result of this effort, the public network was awarded the Q Award 2026 from the Institute for Spanish Tourism Quality and Sustainability (ICTES), a recognition that positions the Camino de Santiago as a benchmark in responsible tourism at both the national and European levels.
Furthermore, in 2025, 25 hostels in the network obtained the S brand certification for Sustainable Tourismwhich values ​​aspects such as efficient resource management, commitment to the environment, and staff involvement in environmentally friendly practices. Currently, that number stands at 31 accredited establishments.
The goal of the Xunta is that the group of 77 public hostels and their more than 3.000 places They should continue to align themselves with these standards so that the impact of the Camino de Santiago on the region is as balanced as possible. The incorporation of textile recycling is seen as another step in that direction.
In parallel, a Guide to Good Practices for pilgrims and hostel staffThis document, linked to sustainability certification, will include simple recommendations for reducing waste, using containers properly, and adopting more responsible travel habits.
With this set of measures, the Xunta wants those who travel the Camino de Santiago to be able to actively participate in environmental protectionnot only enjoying the natural and cultural heritage, but also contributing their bit through everyday gestures such as properly disposing of clothes or footwear that they no longer need.
The new textile recycling project in the hostels along the Camino reinforces Galicia's commitment to more conscious and respectful tourism. harnessing the potential of the circular economy to reduce waste and emissions without compromising the quality of the pilgrim's experience. If the pilot phase confirms expectations, the model could be extended to the entire public network and even serve as a reference for other tourist destinations in Spain and the rest of Europe.
