The Waste Framework Directive (WFD) is a cornerstone of EU waste legislation. 

It is currently being revised as part of the European Commission's broader Circular Economy Action Plan, which seeks to align waste management practices with sustainability goals. The revised WFD will enhance waste prevention, promote more efficient waste management systems and integrate circular economy principles more effectively. Textiles is one of the two sectors addressed by the proposal for a targeted revision of the Waste Framework Directive.

One of the key elements of this proposal is the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes for textiles. These schemes are intended to make all actors involved in supply chains responsible for their part in the lifecycle of products, in line with the ‘polluter pays’ principle. The revision of the WFD provides an opportunity to improve EPR schemes’ governance structures: it will enhance stakeholder coordination and involve a diverse range of stakeholders, including industry representatives, waste management professionals, consumer organisations and civil society.

The ECESP Leadership Group on Textiles organised the #EUCircularTalks event on the revision of the Waste Framework Directive: Enhancing textiles EPR schemes through inclusive governance. Panellists discussed key evidence concerning how best to align waste management practices with sustainability goals.

This webinar took a closer look at the proposed changes to EPR schemes for textiles and highlighted the role of inclusive governance in meeting the sustainability targets.

 Programme

• Introduction by the moderator:

Generation Climate Europe

• Opening remarks:

Florian Marin, EESC member and president of the study group which prepared the NAT/907 opinion on the Revision of the EU Waste Framework Directive

• Panel discussion:

- Rasmus Nordqvist, Member of the European Parliament 
- Janine Röling, Director/Founder, Collectief Circulair Textiel  
- Mariska Boer, President, EuRIC Textiles  
- Matthias Neitsch, President, RREUSE & Managing Director, Re-Use Austria 
- Andreas Brieger, Director for Climate, Energy and Environment policy, SMEUnited  
- Vanya Veras, Secretary General, Municipal Waste Europe

Q&A

• Closing remarks:

Jana Žůrková, Deputy Director, RREUSE & Coordinator of the ECESP Leadership Group on Textiles

This webinar took place on 19 November at 14:30 – 16:30 CET.