The European Union is trying to end the destruction of unsellable clothes and shoes. The European Parliament and the European Council have agreed on this issue.
Brussels hopes to force change in the clothing industry with new rules. Figures from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management show that around 6 percent of all clothing in the Netherlands goes unsold each year. Some of the unsold or returned clothing is thrown into the incinerator or shredder. In 2015, an estimated 1.2 million garments were produced annually. This waste is a thorn in the side of the EU.
EU member states and the full EU Parliament still need to ratify the deal early next year, but this is seen as a formality. Major clothing companies will have two years to adapt their business operations. For medium-sized companies, a six-year compliance period applies.
Repair and recycling
There will also be rules designed to encourage production to produce products that last longer and are easier to repair. If this is no longer possible, products should also be easier to recycle. There will also be rules to reduce the use of raw materials, energy and water in production.
“It is time to put an end to the ‘take, make, throw away’ model that is causing great harm to our planet, our health and our economy,” said Italian MP Alessandra Moretti, who spearheaded this policy in parliament. “Sustainable products are becoming the norm.”
Source: NOS
Roy Brown is a renowned economist and author at The Nation View. He has a deep understanding of the global economy and its intricacies. He writes about a wide range of economic topics, including monetary policy, fiscal policy, international trade, and labor markets.
