In a recently released manifesto, The Textiles Branch of EuRIC (European Recycling Industries' Confederation) has laid out essential policy recommendations to boost textile circularity across the European Union by 2030.
Tackling the escalating issue of textile waste, the ‘EU Recyclers' Manifesto’ emphasizes on the critical need for bringing about a systemic change.
The manifesto highlights the unprecedented challenges facing Europe’s textile recycling sector, which are worsened by increasing costs, declining demand, and the rapid growth of ultra-fast fashion.
With EU citizens generating roughly 16 kg of textile waste each year, and only a small portion being properly recycled, EuRIC cautions about the severe environmental consequences of continuing to landfill and incinerate these materials.
To tackle this issue, EuRIC Textiles advocates a multifaceted strategy, which includes extending the lifespan of textile products, significantly increasing the use of recycled textile fibers, and dramatically improving textile recycling rates, which currently sit below 1 per cent for new clothing.
To achieve these objectives, the manifesto calls for the EU to implement key policy measures, such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes, ecodesign requirements, and the use of Digital Product Passports (DPP) to enhance consumer awareness. Furthermore, EuRIC is pushing for EU End-of-Waste criteria, fair-trade practices, balanced chemicals legislation, and stricter compliance monitoring to ensure transparency and prevent greenwashing.
