Recently the European Parliament approved bolder rules aimed at cutting waste in the European Union, where annual figures show about 60 million tons of food waste and 12.6 million tons of textile waste. The chamber backed a legislative proposal with stronger targets set for 2030 to reduce food waste and to require textile producers to cover collection, sorting, and recycling costs.
With 514 votes in favor, 20 against, and 91 abstentions, lawmakers cleared the way for a revision of the Waste Framework Directive, a proposal first put forward by the Commission last July. The next step will see the newly elected Parliament continue the process after the European elections.
Targets for 2035
On food waste, the Parliament approved broader objectives intended to cut waste by at least 20 percent during the transformation and production phase, compared to the Commission’s 10 percent proposal. The per capita targets in retail, catering, food services, and households would reach 40 percent, up from 30 percent in the original plan.
The Parliament also called for the Commission to assess whether to set even more ambitious goals for 2035, aiming for at least 30 percent reduction in food waste and 50 percent in textile waste.
Regarding textile waste, MEPs want the EU to apply circular economy principles and extended producer responsibility schemes to textiles. Under EPR, textile producers would bear a portion of the recycling costs for their products.
Member states will have 18 months to establish these schemes, instead of the 30 months initially proposed by the Commission, according to the Parliament’s press release.
Less than 1 percent of all textiles are recycled into new products
The new rules cover a broad range of items such as clothing, accessories, blankets, footwear, and mattresses, as well as other items that contain textile materials like leather or rubber. The Parliament highlights that less than 1 percent of the world’s textiles are recycled into new goods.
Anna Zalewska, a Conservative and Reformists Group member and the report’s rapporteur, stressed that the Parliament has crafted targeted solutions to curb waste in both food and textiles. For food, these include promoting misshapen fruits and vegetables and donating unsold items, while still ensuring consumable products are used. On textiles, she noted plans to include non-domestic products such as carpets and mattresses and to address online sales channels as well.
[Source: European Parliament communications]