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68-year-olds steal from used clothing container: police on duty!
A 68-year-old was arrested in Fünfhaus for stealing from a used clothing container after she used violence against police officers.
68-year-olds steal from used clothing container: police on duty!
An extraordinary situation occurred on Sunday evening in Sorbaitgasse in the Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus district. A 68-year-old woman was seen by police stealing items of clothing from a used clothing container. She had already filled two carrier bags with the clothing she had taken when the officers made it clear to her that what she was doing was illegal. But instead of showing insight, the older lady showed unacceptance and refused to show her ID. She repeatedly asked the police officers to keep driving while she tried to escape on her bike with her bags. However, these escape attempts failed, which led to a further escalation of the situation.
When the police officers stopped her and spoke to her, the woman reacted aggressively and kicked and punched an officer. This incident ultimately led to her preliminary arrest on suspicion of resisting state authority and attempted serious bodily harm. The woman is also being reported for theft, as the Polizei.gv.at announced.
Problematic disposal of old clothing
The incidents surrounding used clothing containers are not just an issue in Vienna. In Germany, many social organizations and professional recyclers are observing a withdrawal from the used clothing business. In fact, communities like Jena struggle with overfilled collection containers that have to be emptied several times a week. This is in stark contrast to the current situation in Austria, where the issue of old clothing disposal is becoming increasingly complicated. Since January 1st, a “separate collection requirement for textiles” has been in effect across the EU, which brings with it various challenges.
Demand for used clothing is on the decline and there are increasing reports of falling prices for disposal. Organizations such as the Red Cross and Caritas are now taking back containers to counteract the problems in the industry. According to Tagesschau it is alarming that large companies like Soex have filed for bankruptcy and the system is increasingly in danger of collapsing. The economic challenges mean that 60% of the old clothes collected are reused, but the rest is largely made into cleaning rags.
The incidents in Vienna highlight this problem and show how important it is to handle old clothes responsibly. It remains to be seen whether the 68-year-old woman's behavior is an isolated case or a symptomatic reaction to current conditions. The debate about used clothing containers will certainly be on the agenda for some time. However, the emergence of such stories confirms that there is a need for action to steer the collection and disposal of textiles in a sustainable direction.