New waste management policies will change the way the EU handles textiles waste. The proposal for a new Waste Framework Directive (WFD) aims to accelerate the development of the separate collection, sorting, reuse and recycling of textiles, in line with the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles and the Circular Economy Action Plan.

The core of the proposal is the introduction of mandatory and harmonised Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes for textiles in EU Member States. The level of producers’ contribution to the schemes will depend on the principle of “eco-modulation”. In addition, the implementation of national EPR schemes also aims to facilitate the implementation of the obligation to collect textiles separately, in line with current legislation.

The proposal would address the issue of illegal exports of textile waste to countries that do not have the capacity to manage textile waste.

The webinar will be an opportunity for stakeholders in the value chain to explain how the sector sees the implementation of the WFD and EPR for textiles in practice.

Programme

Introduction by the moderator:

• Marie-Jeanne Gaertner, Project and Advocacy Officer, RREUSE

Opening remarks:

• Zsolt Kükedi, EESC member and rapporteur of the opinion NAT/907 on the Revision of the EU waste framework Directive

Presentations

• Vincenzo Gente, Policy Officer, EC, DG ENV B3, From Waste to Resources (presentation)
• Sina Depireux, German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt - UBA) (presentation)

Panel discussion:

• Stephanie Bailly, EPR Project Manager, Decathlon (Retail)
• Ylva Stjernquist, VP Supply Chain & Sourcing from Renewcell, Sweden (Recycler)
• Tanja Meeuwsen, Circular Economy Adviser, Branchevereniging Kringloop Nederland (Re-Use operator)
• Filipe Carneiro, Manager of the Operational Projects Implementation Support Division, Lipo - Portugal (Municipality)

Q&A

Conclusions by the moderator