Schattdorf, April 2008 – 19,237 tons of used clothes, shoes and home textiles found their way to the red/white containers and bags of TEXAID all over Switzerland in 2007. That's a rise of four percent compared to the previous year (18,493 tons). Due to an increased demand for good Swiss second hand clothes the proceeds for the associated aid organizations, Samaritan societies and Kolping families could be increased by almost 30 percent to 2.4 million Swiss francs (1.9 million Swiss francs in the previous year).

When it comes to the useful recycling of the well-preserved clothes, shoes and home textiles, half of the Swiss population trust TEXAID. This collection organisation, founded in 1978 by six Swiss aid organisations, is the only one, that professionally processes the majority of the incoming textiles in their own sorting facilities. Thanks to this sorting of the 19,237 tons of used clothing received in 2007 in the red/white containers and collection bags, a respectable sum could be generated: the net proceeds paid out after the deduction of all operating costs amounted to 2.4 million Swiss francs. 1.3 million francs thereof were given to the Samaritan societies, Kolping families and youth organisation, that do a great deal for TEXAID regionally; 1.1 million francs went to the affiliated aid organisations for their various humanitarian efforts.

Quality is crucial
The rise of 30 percent in profit distribution compared to 2006 is the result of an increased demand for choice goods from Switzerland in the existing buying countries, says TEXAID director Martin Böschen. Namely in Eastern European countries the living conditions have noticeably improved, the people treat themselves to more good, fashionable, yet affordable clothing. Only the accurate sorting provides for delivery of exactly the requested goods in the demanded quality. The new computerized sorting plant with 50 employees in Schattdorf/UR, put into service in February 2008, guarantees a constantly high quality of the offered used textiles. Furthermore the sorting on site prevents the export of the contained waste in the collections. TEXAID is employing a total of 81 people in Switzerland.

TEXAID is a consortium of the aid organisations Swiss Red Cross, Winterhilfe Schweiz, Swiss Workers Relief Organisation, Caritas Switzerland, Swiss Kolpingwerk and the aid  agency of the Swiss Protestant Churches HEKS.