EU Environment Agency: Europeans Increasingly Purchase More Clothing Than Ever Before

Copenhagen (dpa) – The European Union is witnessing an unprecedented surge in the consumption of clothing, shoes, and textiles, according to a new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA) set to be officially released on Wednesday.

The report reveals that EU residents purchased an average of approximately 19 kilograms of textiles in 2022. This total includes about 8 kilograms of clothing, 4 kilograms of footwear, and 7 kilograms of household textiles.

Experts from the EEA, based in Copenhagen, highlight that this quantity is comparable to filling a large suitcase with new textiles. In 2019, the average consumption was lower at 17 kilograms, and prior years saw figures between 14 and 17 kilograms.

Environmental and Climate Impact

The EEA emphasizes that the rising textile consumption has considerable environmental and climate implications, including the depletion of materials, water, and land resources, along with emissions, chemicals, and microplastics. The report advocates for collaborative efforts from policymakers, industries, and consumers to shift away from fast fashion. It calls for the production of better-quality, more sustainable textiles that can be reused, repaired, and recycled. Innovations aimed at advancing a circular economy could also enhance the EU’s competitiveness, the report suggests.

In 2022, the 27 EU member states generated approximately 6.94 million tons of textile waste, equivalent to around 16 kilograms per person. Environmental experts are concerned that a significant portion of discarded textiles is being disposed of in mixed household waste rather than being recycled. In that year, 85 percent of household textile waste was not collected separately.

Ending Textile Waste in General Garbage

The EEA is optimistic about the impact of a new EU directive aimed at addressing this issue: As of January 1, 2025, textiles must be disposed of separately from general waste, meaning that old clothes and used textiles can no longer be thrown into regular garbage bins.

The EEA does not provide a breakdown of textile consumption by individual EU countries, and acknowledges that the estimated figures come with some uncertainty, as they are derived from calculations based on production and imports minus exports of textiles. (March 25)