Textile waste recycling

Textiles & Plastics in the Spotlight - EU Regulation

The latest updates:

1. Waste Framework Directive & Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

• In February 2025, the EU agreed to revise the Waste Framework Directive, introducing mandatory EPR schemes for textiles. Producers will need to contribute financially, with fees adjusted depending on the durability and recyclability of their products.
• By 1 January 2025, all member states were required to set up separate textile collection systems. Countries like France and the Netherlands already have functioning EPR systems, while others - including Spain, Italy, and Germany, as well as the Baltic region - are at different stages of rollout.
• The goal is not only to collect more textile waste but to make sure that the costs of managing it are fairly shared between producers and consumers.

2. Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)

• Since July 2024, the new Ecodesign Regulation applies to almost all product categories, including textiles and plastics.
• The 2025-2030 Working Plan prioritises textiles, plastic-heavy furniture, tyres, and mattresses, setting the stage for product-specific rules.
• Measures will include Digital Product Passports (DPPs), bans on destroying unsold textiles and footwear, and mandatory durability and recyclability standards.
• For textiles, the first delegated acts are expected in 2027, with enforcement from 2028.

3. Supporting Frameworks & Tools

• In May 2025, European Commission launched the EU Textiles Ecosystem Platform, a digital hub for stakeholders. It offers updates on legislation, funding opportunities, and industry events, as well as a space to share knowledge and build partnerships.
• For professionals and companies, it has quickly become a key resource for navigating the rapidly evolving EU landscape.

Why Textile Recycling Matters?

Every year, millions of tonnes of textiles end up in landfills or incinerators - most of it still perfectly recyclable. With the rise of fast fashion and declining garment quality, textile waste is growing faster than our ability to manage it. Globally, less than 1% of textiles are recycled back into new textiles. The rest are downcycled into lower-value products, exported, or simply discarded. New EU policies, such as mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes and upcoming Ecodesign rules, aim to reverse this trend by requiring better design, longer product lifespans, and improved waste management. (We explored these regulations in more detail in our earlier post on the EU policy landscape).

But why does textile recycling matter so much, and why should we care?

It reduces environmental impact
Producing textiles is highly resource-intensive. Cotton farming consumes vast amounts of water and pesticides, while polyester and other synthetics are derived from fossil fuels. Recycling reduces the demand for new raw materials, cutting greenhouse gas emissions, water use, and pollution.

It addresses global imbalances
Textile production is concentrated in a few countries, but consumption is much higher in Europe and North America. When garments are discarded, the environmental and social burdens are rarely shared equally. Recycling and reuse can ease this imbalance by extending product lifecycles and reducing pressure on production regions.

It keeps waste out of landfills and incinerators
When textiles are landfilled, natural fibres can release methane as they decompose, while synthetic fibres shed microplastics into soil and water. Incineration recovers some energy, but it comes at the cost of carbon emissions. Recycling and reuse allow us to recover material value while avoiding these harmful outcomes.

It supports local economies
Recycling is not just about waste reduction - it also creates jobs. Collection, sorting, and processing all generate employment, while feeding recovered materials into new manufacturing streams strengthens local industries and reduces dependence on virgin imports.