The European Parliament and Council have reached a provisional agreement on new regulations aimed at significantly reducing food and textile waste across the European Union. The agreement introduces binding food waste reduction targets and mandates that textile producers cover the costs of waste management under new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes.
Binding Food Waste Reduction Targets
Under the new rules, EU countries must cut food waste by:
10% in food processing and manufacturing
30% per capita in retail, restaurants, food services, and households
These reductions must be achieved by December 31, 2030, based on waste levels recorded between 2021-2023. Additionally, businesses with a significant role in food waste generation will be required to facilitate the donation of unsold, safe-to-eat food.
Producers to Cover Textile Waste Management Costs
Under the new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes, textile producers must:
Finance the collection, sorting, and recycling of textile waste
Comply with EPR obligations within 30 months of the directive’s entry into force
Micro-enterprises have an additional 12 months to comply
The rules apply to all textile producers, including e-commerce sellers, regardless of their location. Covered products include clothing, footwear, accessories, household textiles (bed linen, curtains, blankets), and hats. Member states may also introduce EPR schemes for mattress producers.
Additionally, fast fashion and ultra-fast fashion practices will be addressed in determining financial contributions to EPR schemes, a move aimed at discouraging unsustainable textile production.
EU’s Commitment to Sustainability
Rapporteur Anna Zalewska (ECR, PL) stated:
“Parliament secured provisions to further reduce food and textile waste while ensuring that the agricultural sector is not negatively impacted. We have also created a legal framework to hold producers accountable for the textiles they put on the market, reducing the administrative burden for businesses and member states.”
Next Steps
This agreement follows Parliament’s first reading and will now require formal adoption by the Council and European Parliament in a second reading before becoming law.
Background
Each year, the EU generates nearly 60 million tonnes of food waste (132 kg per person) and 12.6 million tonnes of textile waste. Clothing and footwear alone account for 5.2 million tonnes—only 1% of which is recycled into new products.
The European Commission first proposed revisions to EU waste rules in July 2023, requiring separate collection of textiles by January 1, 2025. The latest agreement strengthens these commitments, aiming for a more circular economy and reduced environmental impact.
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