The Waste Framework Directive mandates that from 2025, EU Member States must establish separate collection systems for used textiles.

This briefing provides an overview of the state of play of textile waste generation, collection systems, treatment capacity and the different classifications for used textiles in Europe. It also identifies factors which must be considered when implementing separate collection systems, with a view to fostering the circularity of textiles without inadvertently increasing exports, incineration or landfilling.

It is underpinned by a report from the European Environment Agency’s European Topic Centre on Circular Economy and Resource Use.