CTA, in collaboration with the Faculty of Psychology and Speech Therapy at the University of Malaga (UMA), held a workshop on 18 February entitled ‘Innovative textile collection systems and public awareness: the case of Armario Circular’, as part of the European VERDEinMED project, funded by the Interreg Euro-MED programme.

Alberto Barranca, European Projects Manager, and Sofía Sánchez, International Projects Communications Coordinator, attended the event on behalf of CTA.

The meeting brought together more than 100 people, mostly students from the University of Malaga, and focused on the Armario Circular initiative, a voluntary free clothing exchange activity held every Wednesday at the Faculty of Psychology and Speech Therapy.

Round table: Circular strategies for the textile sector

The event began with an institutional welcome by Salvador Merino, Vice-Chancellor for Infrastructure and Sustainability at the UMA, who analysed the UMA’s circularity policies, highlighting the strategic lines that the institution was developing to move towards a more efficient model. This was followed by a round table discussion on ‘Circular strategies for the textile sector’, which brought together experts from the academic and public management fields.

First, Pilar Moreno, Vice-Dean of Students, Mobility, Cultural Activities, Equality and Diversity at the Faculty of Psychology and Speech Therapy, presented her Armario Circular (Circular Wardrobe) initiative, highlighting its impact on raising awareness among the university community and its contribution to promoting more sustainable consumption habits. She also analysed how psychology influences advertising and clothing consumption.

For his part, Francisco Zurita, Director of Environmental Services at the Malaga Provincial Urban Solid Waste Consortium, provided data on textile recycling in the province and explained the technical and logistical challenges associated with its proper management. He also presented eWaster, a European initiative of the Euro-MED programme focused on the circular economy of electronic devices, showing examples of how innovation can be applied to different waste sectors.

Salvador Merino also participated in the round table, delving into the role of universities as drivers of change in the circular economy.

The event concluded with a question and answer session and open dialogue, consolidating its position as a forum for reflection and collaboration to promote innovative and participatory solutions in the field of the circular textile economy.