A major step for the European textile sector, and potentially for a circular and inclusive economy - as of 19 July this year, large companies in the European Union are no longer allowed to destroy unsold clothing, fashion accessories, and footwear.
It is estimated that between four and nine percent of unsold, never-used clothing and footwear is destroyed in Europe every year. That comes out to between 264,000 and 594,000 tons of textiles. Only 12 percent of new, unworn clothing finds its way to reuse.
Large companies now have to sell such items at a discount, on alternative markets, donate them to charities, or find a way to recycle and reuse them. Destruction is allowed only under special circumstances.
-There is currently enough clothing on Earth for the entire world population for the next 200 years, said Ivan Božić, the manager of Humana Nova, to HRT news reporter Silvana Skočajić when the ban took effect. He warned that the question remains where those clothes will end up. He believes that priority in buying and collecting should go to organizations such as the Red Cross, or social enterprises with established reuse solutions. This would not only maximize the lifespan of unsold new clothing, but also create new jobs.
- According to European estimates, 1,000 tons of textiles can create 70 jobs. Last year, we collected 789 tons of textiles. We currently have 62 employees: 38 of them are people with disabilities, and another 20 are from socially excluded groups in the open job market, said Božić.
The regulation on ecodesign and sustainable products entered into force in 2024, and the ban on the destruction of unsold goods took effect ten days ago. For medium-sized companies, this ban will apply from 2030.
Nearly all Croatian media outlets reported on the ban entry into force. According to Andrea Čović Vidović, Deputy Head of the European Commission Representation in Croatia, the amount of unused yet wearable items in Europe is way too high, and it has global consequences.
