Members of the European Parliament reached a compromise with member states in February regarding a European Commission proposal to enhance producer responsibility in the textile sector. Producers will now contribute to the costs associated with collection, sorting, and recycling through fees.
The EU generates 12.6 million tons of textile waste annually, with clothing and shoes responsible for 5.2 million tons, averaging 12 kilograms per person. To address this issue, member states are encouraged to target fast fashion, allowing them to adjust fees for producers based on their products’ lifespan.
Belgian MEP Liesbet Sommen (CD&V/EPP) stated, “It is positive that we are establishing the principle of ‘the polluter pays’ for textiles. Additionally, this sends a strong message to non-European producers selling their clothes here, indicating they cannot evade this responsibility. This approach will also impact the fast fashion industry significantly, pushing the market towards quality and reuse.”
These measures are part of a broader revision of the waste directive, which for the first time introduces European targets for food waste. Currently, food waste stands at about 132 kilograms per person per year. By 2030, the goal is to reduce waste in food processing and production by 10 percent, and by 30 percent per capita in households, restaurants, catering services, and retail.
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