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This article has been translated by Artificial Intelligence (AI). The news agency is not responsible for the content of the translated article. The original was published by Belga.

EU takes action against textile waste

by AI | 20.Feb 2025 | Europe in brief AI

The European Union is going to make textile producers and fashion houses responsible for their waste and require them to pay a fee for its collection and processing. Negotiators from member states and the European Parliament have reached an agreement on this.

The European Union tackles fast fashion (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, File)

The negotiators agreed on a proposal from the European Commission to extend producer responsibility in the textile sector. Through a fee, they will contribute to the costs of collection, sorting, and recycling.

In the EU, 12.6 million tons of textile waste is produced annually. Clothes and shoes alone account for 5.2 million tons, or 12 kilograms per person. To reduce this waste mountain, member states are asked to focus on so-called fast fashion. In this way, they can adjust the fees for producers according to the lifespan of their products.

MEP Sara Matthieu (Green) calls on Belgium to follow the French example. “A fast fashion allowance imposes higher tariffs on companies that dump large quantities of cheap clothing on the French market. Belgium must follow suit and protect our sustainable clothing producers from unfair competition.”