Urgent action needed to adress crisis in textile waste sector

The RREUSE network has sent an open letter to EU environment ministers, urging them to address the deepening crisis in the used and waste textile sector during the upcoming June Environment Council. 

The letter outlines the growing strain on social enterprises responsible for textile waste management: the second-hand market is saturated, sorting centres are closing, and increasing volumes of reusable textiles are being incinerated due to a lack of sustainable alternatives. 

Despite the EU’s legal requirement for separate textile collection starting in January 2025, most Member States remain unprepared, lacking both the infrastructure and funding necessary to implement the mandate effectively. 

In light of these urgent challenges, RREUSE calls for the immediate inclusion of the textile crisis on the Council’s agenda and the adoption of a Textile Emergency Action Plan (TEAP), backed by interim funding from existing EU instruments. 

You can read the letter here

RREUSE is an international network representing social enterprises active in reuse, repair, and recycling. The network brings together expertise in these three crucial steps towards waste prevention. RREUSE's members are committed to promoting environmental protection, social justice, and economic sustainability by extending the lifespan of products and reducing waste.