Extended producer responsibility programs (EPR) for textiles are gaining traction among policymakers worldwide, guaranteeing that manufacturers and brands bear a fair portion of the expenses associated with handling end-of-life textiles and apparel.
Recent regulatory agreements and strategic initiatives focused at promoting circularity are poised to bring about a dramatic revolution in the used textile business. A significant change in the way textile waste is managed has been brought about by the European Union’s (EU) provisional decision to apply uniform extended producer responsibility rules among its member states.
Textiles are anticipated to be given priority by the UK’s newly formed Circular Economy Taskforce.
Producers must pay for collecting, sorting, and recycling of textile waste, according to binding targets that the EU Council and Parliament tentatively agreed to on February 19. The fast fashion industry is given special attention in the legislation.
The goal of harmonising EPR throughout EU member states is to provide a single framework that guarantees a uniform strategy for managing textile waste. In order to encourage sustainable design and recyclability, producers will be subject to eco-modulated costs that are determined by the environmental performance of their products.
In order to ensure compliance with strict environmental regulations both inside and outside the EU, the directive also aims to restrict the export of textile waste under the pretence of reuse.
A global trend towards sustainable practices in the textile sector is being signalled by the adoption of EPR schemes in a number of locations outside of Europe. California’s passage of the Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024 is a groundbreaking move in the US. This bill, which was signed into law in September 2024, creates the first mandatory EPR program for textiles in the country.
To control the recycling and reuse of clothing and some textile goods, manufacturers, brands, retailers, and distributors must take part in a stewardship program. By July 2028, full deployment is anticipated.
The implementation of EPR for textiles is also being advanced in Chile. In 2016, the nation enacted legislation that initially applied to six goods categories. With the regulatory procedure starting this year and goals expected by 2029, plans are in motion to add textiles.
These changes are indicative of a definite global trend towards the adoption of laws that encourage textile recycling and reuse. The textile sector is pushed to innovate in waste management and product design as more regions adopt EPR schemes, promoting a more sustainable and circular economy globally.
