EuRIC urges EU strategy for textiles in circular economy

11 Jan '20

2 min read

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The European Recycling Industries’ Confederation (EuRIC), has recommended market-based fiscal incentives for textile reuse and recycling; end-of-waste criteria for prepared for re-use textiles to create a stronger internal market for second-hand textiles; and labelling of sustainable textiles and apparel as part of an EU textiles strategy.

EuRIC, the umbrella organisation for European Union’s (EU) recycling sector, , has strongly welcomed the European Commission’s decision to make textiles, apparel and fabrics a priority product category within the Circular Economy 2.0.

EuRIC’s new textiles’ reuse and recycling branch has called for ambitious measures to render textiles circular throughout the value chain—from design to end-of-life preparation for reuse or recycling.

EuRIC has also recommended extended producer responsibility (EPR) for new textiles with eco-modulation of fees rewarding textiles’ reusability, recyclability and recycled content. Additionally, fair and transparent financial contributions should be paid by the producer to cover the cost of the treatment for used textiles, in accordance with the minimum requirements set by the Waste Framework Directive. EPR fees should be directed to the textiles re-use and recycling industry, it said in a statement.

Recycled content targets for textiles should be earmarked to pull the demand for quality recycled fibres, boost markets for separately collected used textiles and invest to scale up textile material recovery, it said.

Efforts should also be made to alleviate trade and fiscal barriers, be it within Europe or imposed by third countries, affecting second-hand textiles markets, EuRIC added.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

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