next
previous
items

The destruction of returned and unsold textiles in Europe’s circular economy

Publication Created 05 Feb 2024 Published 04 Mar 2024
EU policymakers have recently decided to introduce a direct ban on the destruction of textiles and footwear with some exemptions for small, micro and medium-sized companies. In this briefing, the EEA provides an overview of what is currently known about the volumes and destruction of returned and unsold textiles in Europe. The growth of online shopping, flexible return practices, changed consumer preferences and fast-fashion business strategies in Europe have resulted in increased shares of returned and unsold textiles. Over the past years, fast fashion as well as luxury brands, have been reported to destroy returned or unsold clothing, shoes and other textiles. Textile product destruction, where products are destroyed by retailers, brands or manufacturers before use, is an example of a resource ‘take-make-waste’ approach, highlighting the inefficiency of current linear production-consumption systems which cause avoidable negative impacts on the environment and climate.
Warning
The default page for this folder is also a folder. To add items to it, visit the default page's folder contents view and use the add menu.
Up one level
Select: All
   Title   Size   Modified   State 
Briefing D source code The destruction of returned and unsold textiles in Europe’s circular economy 1 KB 22 May 2024, 04:00 PM Published