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.
The European Commission will be hosting a discussion panel on The future of the textile industry: Competitive, sustainable and circular at the Hannover Messe industry trade fair on 25 April.
Participants can follow the panel online or join the event in person.
Join the Innovative Sustainable Economy Mission of the Interreg Euro-MED Programme in Marseille on 18 and 19 June for interactive sessions and networking with like-minded people and organisations working for a more sustainable Mediterranean region.
Climate Action Week for Fashion & Apparel will take place on 18 to 22 March, organised by the Scandinavian Textile Initiative for Climate Action (STICA).
Used clothing exports from the Netherlands totalled more than €193 million in 2022: not an insignificant amount.
Understanding the realities of second-hand clothing markets in export destinations will be crucial to develop appropriate policy at national and supranational levels. The aim is to support the socially equitable and environmentally sustainable processing of used textiles, and ensure that this industry is in line with the EU's 2020 Circular Economy Action Plan and the European Green Deal.
To this end, the report explores what happens to textiles collected in the Netherlands in their various destination countries, and highlights the impacts and risks associated with these exports, as well as how they are addressed.
EU policymakers recently decided to introduce a direct ban on the destruction of textiles and footwear, with some exemptions for small, micro and medium-sized companies.
In this briefing, the EEA takes stock of what is currently known about the volumes and destruction of returned and unsold textiles in Europe. The growth of online shopping, flexible return practices, changed consumer preferences and fast-fashion business strategies in Europe have resulted in increased shares of returned and unsold textiles.
Over the past years, fast fashion and luxury brands have been reported as destroying returned or unsold clothing, shoes and other textiles. Textile product destruction is a very good example of a ‘take-make-waste’ approach.
This workshop will present, highlight and discuss the state of play and future issues related to sustainability in the fashion, clothing and textiles sector. It will also launch the book on Accelerating Sustainability in Fashion, Clothing and Textiles, withpresentations from the editors and contributors.
There will be roundtable discussions covering key topics highlighted in the book (such as the circular economy, innovation and new business models, design and materials) and networking opportunities.
This online event of the UN Fashion Alliance on 5 February 2024 will discuss the role of municipalities in promoting circularity and more sustainable consumption patterns in the fashion sector.
ASK - The Nordic Way is a Nordic region-based podcast exploring sustainability and circularity. Each episode tackles a different aspect: have a listen!
CircularInvest and DEFINITE-CCRI are launching the Circular Investment Readiness Network, a Europe-wide community of practice to help circular economy projects overcome development and funding challenges.
The initiative will officially kick off online on 21 November, from 10:00 to 12:00 CET.