Project Circular Down

Image credit: © Kerrick/istockphoto.com

The challenge

Synthetics have been overtaking natural materials as filling materials for bedding for a long time – in Germany, the proportion is currently around 70%. In addition to the high energy consumption required for the production of filling materials made from fossil raw materials, the fact that most of these synthetic fibres are not biodegradable is particularly harmful to the environment. Microplastics, which can be produced during washing, are also increasingly being recognised as a health hazard. The situation is different with down and feathers, which do not have to be produced separately, but are available as a by-product of the poultry industry and are even compostable at the end of their use.

In contrast to Western Europe, where geese and ducks are mostly prepared seasonally in the cold season, Asian cuisine makes use of poultry meat all year round. This is why most of the new down that we use as filling material comes from China. These have to be imported via CO2-intensive transport routes.

Although animal welfare legislation in Asia has developed positively in recent years, it has not yet reached the level of European countries.

Our approach

Consumers are not sufficiently aware of the fact that down and feathers can be recycled to give them a new life up to five times. This is particularly important as bedding filled with down and feathers already has a long life cycle of 10 years or more on average. The Partnership for Sustainable Textiles is pursuing several goals with the ‘Circular Down’ project: Consumers and retail partners are informed about the benefits of recycled down and feathers. A supporting communication campaign clears up prejudices and knowledge gaps. In addition to the development of a new return possibilities specifically designed for down and feathers, existing options such as the use of containers for mixed textile waste, recycling centres or campaigns organised by retailers are being supported and promoted. The project aims to successfully initiate a solution that not only returns recyclable down and feathers to the cycle, but also reuses the components that can no longer be used.

Our goals

The aim is to change the mindset of consumers so that they use recycled down and feathers as filling material for a long-lasting, recyclable product and contribute to the circular economy in the future by helping to collect used duvets and pillows. For this to work in the long term, we need to work together with industry and retail partners to create extended take-back options. This will reduce imports and thus transport-related CO2 emissions.

Facts and figures


Project duration	03/2024–08/2025
Focus topic	Environmental protection
BMZ focus topic	Just Transition
Project countries	Germany
Involved Partnership members	Essenza Home, erlich textil, FairWertung, BTE Handelsverband Textil Schuhe Lederwaren, Verband der deutschen Daunen- und Federnindustrie e. V. (VDFI), Bundesverband E-Commerce und Versandhandel Deutschland e. V. (BEVH)