Large companies in the European Union will no longer be allowed to destroy unsold clothing and shoes, under rules that took effect on Sunday.
The EU regulation requires the affected companies to resell or donate their goods rather than dispose of them. Destruction is sometimes considered cheaper than storing, refurbishing or re-offering products for sale.
Exceptions apply in cases where goods are dangerous, damaged or contaminated, or cannot be reused or refurbished. Items that have been offered as donations to several EU-based social organizations but not accepted within a set period may also be destroyed.
The new rules will later be extended to companies. They form part of the EU Ecodesign Regulation, which came into effect in July 2024.
The German Retail Federation (HDE) said the ban could benefit consumers, by increasing the supply of discounted goods through outlets, clearance markets and second-hand channels.
Managing director Stefan Genth also sees potential environmental benefits, “as less near-new clothing is destroyed and products are more frequently resold or donated.”
Gent accepted that retailers would face challenges. “Not all unsold goods can be resold or donated easily,” he said. The reasons for this could include damaged packaging, high logistics costs, lack of demand or low product values.
According to the European Commission, between 4% and 9% of unsold textiles in Europe are destroyed each year without ever being worn, generating around 5.6 million tons of CO2 emissions.
FILE PHOTO – A large pile of discarded textile waste pictured during a demonstration against the fast fashion industry in front of the Brandenburg Gate. (is associated with: «Large companies in EU can no longer destroy unsold fashion») Jens Kalaene/dpa