Spain’s Textile Waste Pilot

Ahead of the 2026 implementation of the EU’s Collective System of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for textiles and footwear, known as SCRAP, the Spanish Association for the Management of Textile Waste, the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP), and several leading fashion brands have joined forces to tackle textile waste.
In a recent announcement, they introduced Re-viste, Spain’s first textile waste collection pilot programme. Major brands such as Decathlon, H&M, Inditex, and Mango are backing the initiative, which aims to test the effectiveness of various collection systems.
Launching in April 2025, Re-viste will be trialled in six Spanish towns, representing mixed urban, semi-urban, and rural areas, with a combined population of over 300,000. The programme will test several collection methods, including street containers, public cleaning stations, and private locations like stores and schools. Once collected, the textiles will be sent to sorting facilities for assessment and, where possible, resale in second-hand shops.
Non-reusable clothing will be sorted by material for recycling, to turn it into new textiles. The FEMP Textile Waste Working Group and Re-viste will establish a monitoring committee to oversee the proper implementation of the system. Fashion brands estimate that once the law comes into force, Spain will need one textile waste container for every 1,200 residents.
Re-viste’s director, Juan Ramón Meléndez, emphasised the importance of collaboration between municipal councils, producers, and consumers for effective waste management. “This pilot programme brings us closer to a sustainable model for textile collection and recycling. We aim to improve recycling rates and maximise reuse,” he said.
Alejandro Dorado, Commissioner for the Circular Economy at the Ministry of Ecological Transition, highlighted the significance of the initiative for Spain’s economy, where the textile industry accounts for 3% of GDP. “With the launch of Re-viste and this pilot scheme, we are making meaningful strides towards a more sustainable future for the industry,” he added. (1)

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