A new paper by Zero Waste Europe calls for setting a target for textile waste reduction of one-third by 2040, and exhorts policymakers to recognise major polluters’ market influence and move beyond blaming consumer choices.
- The paper examines the building blocks for a sustainable transition in the fast fashion industry and demands a concerted effort by governments to bring the fashion textile sector back in harmony with planetary boundaries, outlining a list of entry points for the transition towards sufficiency.
THE PAPER: The paper—A Zero Waste Vision for Fashion—outlines three pivotal interventions for policymakers:
- Enforce legal frameworks that work;
- drive change through financial incentives, and,
- spread awareness about the sufficiency wardrobe.
The paper suggests setting a target for textile waste reduction of one-third by 2040 in comparison to 2020.
- It calls on the EU to transform its waste legislation into a ‘Resource Framework Directive’ in line with a 1.5-degree target, taking inspiration from the EU Member States that have already ventured ahead to reduce their material footprint.
- A series of initiatives could be integrated to reshape industries, such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programmes that promote prevention, repair, and reuse as well as imposing environmental taxes on virgin materials, particularly virgin plastics.
- In recent years, the rapid growth in the fast fashion sector was fuelled by cheap synthetic fibres from fossil resources and manufacturing in regions with lax labour and environmental standards. Setting the price rightis an essential lever to address this.
- The paper warns that without engendering a culture of sufficiency via measures such as restricting fast fashion advertisements and making repair and reuse more attractive for consumers and businesses, the transition cannot succeed.
About Zero Waste Europe : Zero Waste Europe is a European network of communities, local leaders, experts, and change agents working towards the elimination of waste in our society. Advocating for sustainable systems and the redesign of mankind’s relationship with resources, they accelerate a just transition towards zero waste for the benefit of people and the planet.
WHAT THEY SAID:
We cannot rely on so-called consumer behaviour ‘nudges’ to cut down on fashion consumption. The cause of our current waste crisis lies with the fast fashion business model that relies on selling large volumes of trendy items. We must have a robust regulatory framework that allows consumers to live well—and dress well—within planetary boundaries.
— Theresa Mörsen
Author / Waste & Resources Policy Officer
Zero Waste Europe
