The European Union has reached a provisional agreement to enforce stricter rules on textile and food waste under a revised Waste Framework Directive. This deal introduces an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, requiring textile producers to take financial responsibility for the waste their products generate. It also sets binding targets to reduce food waste across the EU by 2030.
Under the agreement, producers will pay fees for waste collection and treatment, with charges based on product sustainability and circularity. To encourage long-lasting clothing, EU member states may adjust fees depending on the durability of textile products. While all businesses must comply, microenterprises will have an additional year to meet the new requirements to minimize administrative burdens.
The rules particularly address the fast fashion sector, aiming to combat the growing problem of textile waste. For food systems, the binding targets aim to reduce waste at multiple stages of the supply chain, fostering a more sustainable framework.
The deal now awaits formal approval, and EU member states will have 20 months to implement the changes. Paulina Hennig-Kloska, rapporteur for the directive, stated, “This agreement is a significant step towards a robust, circular EU economy, upholding the polluter-pays principle while introducing ambitious food waste reduction targets.”
