i-did-factory-vilt-vers-uit-de-machine-gerecycled-duurzaam-productie i-did-factory-vilt-vers-uit-de-machine-gerecycled-duurzaam-productie

Knowledge & inspiration

Knowledge & inspiration about sustainable textiles and social impact

Did you know that enough clothing has been produced to clothe the next six generations? In the Netherlands, thousands of tons of textiles are destroyed every year. At the same time, hundreds of thousands of people receive welfare benefits and live below the poverty line. At i-did, we combine these challenges into opportunities: we recycle textiles into high-quality felt that can be used as wall or furniture coverings. It can also be used to create various end products . This way, we create jobs for people who have not worked for a long time, or never.

On this page, we share insights, figures, and examples of how circular textiles and social impact intersect. Be inspired by our impact, learn how businesses can contribute, and discover practical tools for implementing circular solutions.

Duurzame-impact-i-did-textielbesparing-waterbesparing-CO2-besparing-gerecycled-vilt-hergebruik-bedrijfskleding Duurzame-impact-i-did-textielbesparing-waterbesparing-CO2-besparing-gerecycled-vilt-hergebruik-bedrijfskleding

Our sustainable impact

If your company chooses i-did products , you'll directly contribute to your sustainability goals.

  • Textile saving: ±0.31 kg of textile per m² of felt, which would otherwise be burned or dumped.
  • Water savings: ±414 liters of water per m² of felt ( source ).
  • CO₂ saving: ±3.5 kg CO₂ per m² felt by recycling workwear ( source ).

Tip: Curious about our impact in 2024? Download here .

Sociale-impact-i-did-inclusieve-werkgelegenheid-maatschappelijke-waarde-2024-textiel-hergebruik-SROI-doelstellingen Sociale-impact-i-did-inclusieve-werkgelegenheid-maatschappelijke-waarde-2024-textiel-hergebruik-SROI-doelstellingen

Our social impact

Make an impact on people and work:

  • Inclusive employment: we offer work and guidance to people who have not worked for a long time or have never worked.
  • Social impact 2024:
    - €3,002,000 total
    - 214.46% of turnover (including donations and subsidies)
    - €78,000 per FTE

By partnering with i-did, your company creates new employment and social value, while giving both people and textiles a new life. This way, you not only make a social impact but also contribute to your SROI objectives .

Tip: Read our Social Handprint for an explanation of the above figures.

i-did-bijdrage-SDG8-SDG12-SDG17-waardig-werk-circulaire-economie-partnerschap-samenwerking-SROI-impact i-did-bijdrage-SDG8-SDG12-SDG17-waardig-werk-circulaire-economie-partnerschap-samenwerking-SROI-impact

Our contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

i-did contributes to 9 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) . Our focus is on:

  • SDG 8 – Decent work and economic growth: By providing employment and support to people who have not worked for a long time or have never worked.
  • SDG 12 – Responsible consumption and production: By giving textiles a second life and thus contributing to a circular economy.
  • SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals: By working with businesses and partners to achieve shared sustainable and social goals.

By working with i-did, your company not only contributes to the SDGs, but also supports UPV and CSRD objectives and improves your Social Return on Investment (SROI) .

Tip: Want to learn more about our approach and impact? Check out our Social Handprint .

Inspiring figures & context

These figures show why collaborating with i-did matters:

  • Every year, 8,000 tons of industrial textiles are destroyed in the Netherlands.
  • Enough clothes have already been produced to clothe the next six generations .
  • In Europe alone , 2 million tonnes of textiles are thrown away every year, 70% of which go to Africa.
  • The textile industry accounts for 10% of global CO₂ emissions and 50% of the wastewater problem .
  • At the end of 2024, 404,000 people in the Netherlands received social assistance benefits.
  • More than 50% of welfare recipients have been receiving this benefit for more than five years .

This reality motivates us every day to develop circular solutions and make a social impact. Does your company want to make a concrete contribution to a solution? Then contact us!

Get inspired by i-did's blogs

  • Terugblik op MaterialDistrict 2026 Terugblik op MaterialDistrict 2026
    March 19, 2026

    Terugblik op MaterialDistrict 2026

    Wat een inspirerende dagen hebben we gehad op MaterialDistrict! We kijken met veel plezier terug op drie dagen vol nieuwe ontmoetingen, mooie gesprekken en enthousiaste reacties. Dankjewel daarvoor! MaterialDistrict is...

View all

Certifications

Many certifications are currently still pending. Do you have any questions or would you like to be kept informed of updates? Please contact us.

We will update this page soon and make the new certificates available for download . Our impact figures and SDG contribution are fully transparent and up-to-date.

Textielafval-CO2-bijstand-i-did-circulaire-oplossingen-maatschappelijke-impact-hergebruik-werkgelegenheid Textielafval-CO2-bijstand-i-did-circulaire-oplossingen-maatschappelijke-impact-hergebruik-werkgelegenheid

Need advice?

Want to learn more about circular textiles or make an impact together? Contact our team.

Contact Us

Photography on this page (except blogs): Sam Wagner for Waste Alchemists