The EU will become the first world region to target the flaws in fashion so directly,
with regulations that promise to improve the circularity of textiles; stop overproduction; empower consumers to make more responsible choices; and make fashion brands accountable for their massive waste problem.
An EPR scheme is a regulatory measure which involves setting fees so companies pay for the costs associated with the end-of-life management of their products.
To date, this mechanism has mostly been applied to packaging and electronics.
Now, EPR is expected to be a key legal instrument put forward in the coming weeks in the European Commission’s EU Strategy for sustainable textiles.
EPR is a key mechanism by which the polluter pays principle, enshrined in Article 191(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, can be operationalised.
By putting in place EPR, end of life costs will be borne by producers, rather than municipalities, and by extension, citizens, as is currently the case.
It will also lead to equity by ensuring that people who consume the most fashion (around 27% of consumers) pay for the cost of waste.
[ > Zero Waste Europe — 2022 ]
