To support Europe’s circular textile economy, EuRIC Textiles (the textiles branch of the European Recycling Industries Confederation), FEAD (the European Waste Management Association), and Decathlon, a leading EU-based sports retailer, have jointly issued a position paper. This paper advocates for efficient Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes and fair competition under the revised Waste Framework Directive (WFD).
The revision of the WFD offers a pivotal opportunity to enhance competitiveness and harmonisation within the EU’s textile sector, particularly in light of global challenges. These include the ongoing war in Ukraine, logistical disruptions in Africa, and the financial and operational pressures caused by ultra-fast fashion. Swift consensus on the WFD changes and the implementation of robust EPR schemes are essential to address these issues effectively.
The key recommendations include setting clear and measurable targets for waste prevention, collection, reuse, and recycling to drive effective action and improve outcomes. It also calls for the development of precise and standardized end-of-waste criteria to streamline operations and facilitate efficient recycling processes. Furthermore, it emphasizes the need to differentiate “used” textiles from waste to enhance classification and handling, promoting more effective recycling and reuse practices. Finally, the recommendations stress the importance of ensuring accountability and fairness across all stakeholders involved in Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes, fostering a balanced and transparent approach to textile waste management.
Timely action is critical as the mandatory separate collection of textile waste begins in January 2025. Effective oversight of EPR programmes must be established to manage increasing waste volumes and encourage infrastructure investment.
FEAD, EuRIC Textiles, and Decathlon urge EU trilogue negotiators to adopt these recommendations swiftly, ensuring EPR schemes promote investment, enhance traceability, and strengthen the EU’s textile recycling capabilities.
