Textile recycling is moving from idea to practice in the fashion industry. Seven multinational clothing companies have joined forces to launch Spain’s first Collective Extended Producer Responsibility system, known as SCRAP, which provides collective support for textile recycling. The collaboration mirrors existing platforms for other materials, drawing parallels with the Ecovidrio approach for glass containers and the broader aim of closing the loop on fashion waste.
A newly established Textile Waste Management Association (AGRT) is backed by Decathlon, H&M, IKEA, Inditex, Kiabi, Mango, and Tendam. According to a joint statement released at the Costume Museum, affiliated with the Ministry of Culture and Sports, the initiative became official after signatures from the involved representatives in recent days.
The AGRT is designed to fulfill the obligations of Extended Producer Responsibility. It requires separate collection of textile waste by local authorities before 31 December 2024 in line with the new Waste Law implementing European directive 2008/98/CE.
The Ministry of Ecological Transition has a three-year window from the law’s enactment to develop regulations mandating the separate management of the textile waste stream. At present, there is no legally established channel that guarantees the recycling of obsolete clothing, making the project a crucial step toward structured waste handling.
The companies forming AGRT have been included in the National Registry of Societies and are actively designing the operational, financial, and data model for SCRAP. Mango will chair the board initially, with rotation planned so that each year a representative from one of the member companies serves as president.
From the outset, the organization will coordinate textile waste management across the sector just as other SCRAPs coordinate related streams. The Recyclia platform groups electrical and electronic waste SCRAPs, Ecoembes handles light packaging, and Ecovidrio oversees glass collection, providing a blueprint for the new system’s integration into national waste management.
The accumulation of unused clothing poses an ecological problem linked to the overproduction characteristic of fast fashion. This overproduction consumes substantial natural resources, especially water, and often fails to meet genuine consumer needs. Many groups advocate ending the excess cycle and adopting more sustainable practices in apparel production and consumption.
By progressively collecting used clothing, the industry can create new garments while preserving key materials and resources, reducing the pressure on raw materials and water resources. A more efficient, circular approach to fashion can help transform waste into value and lower the environmental footprint of the sector.
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Contact details for the environmental department have been withheld from this publication to respect privacy and policy guidelines. Attributions and statements continue to emphasize the commitment of the participating brands to responsible waste management and transparency in reporting outcomes.