In a policy paper, the organisation cautioned that the apparel industry must take urgent action to address emissions gaps to reach the climate targets of the Paris Agreement.

The paper recommended setting real textile waste reduction targets at the EU level, starting with an overall reduction target of at least one third by 2040 compared to 2020, and highlights the need to lead by example in addressing the negative impacts of the textile industry.

Despite being the world’s largest buyer of clothes, the European Union (EU) has not set concrete prevention targets on textile waste, hindering progress towards a fashion industry compatible with planetary boundaries, it noted.

The organisation urged the Commission to allocate funds from the prospective Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme to textile waste prevention measures and mandate reporting on how much textile is collected, either separately or in mixed waste, in a systemic and harmonised manner across the EU.

It also recommended that the Commission should by the end of 2024 present to the co-legislators a legislative proposal, including waste prevention targets for textiles in accordance with Article 9.9 of the WFD.

It also suggested producing guidance for the implementation of policy instruments like support for alternative business models, EPR fees and other economic incentives, or restricting fast fashion advertisements.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)