Project Description:
This sub-project of the WMCE Umbrella Project supports the goals outlined in the EU’s Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP) and the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles, which call for urgent action to reduce textile waste and improve circularity in a highly resource-intensive and environmentally impactful sector.
In line with the revised Waste Framework Directive (WFD), the project focuses on preparing for the separate collection of textiles—required across Member States by 1 January 2025—and improving textile waste management in accordance with the waste hierarchy. At present, over 78% of post-consumer textile waste is not separately collected, often ending up in incineration or landfill. Furthermore, there is growing concern about the illegal export of textiles under the guise of reuse, contributing to environmental and social harm in third countries.
The End-of-Waste for Textiles Project aims to support the EU’s transition to a circular textile economy by clarifying end-of-waste criteria and improving the management of textile waste across Member States. It focuses on developing guidance, promoting consistent enforcement, and identifying technologies to ensure textiles are properly assessed, reused, or recycled in line with EU legislation.
Key Focus Areas:
- End-of-Waste (EoW) Criteria Harmonization: The project will explore how various Member States currently define and apply EoW criteria, identifying inconsistencies and areas for potential harmonization across the EU.
- Support for Enforcement: With increasing shipment inspections and legal disputes over textile classification, the project will aid enforcement bodies in applying consistent criteria.
- Technology Mapping: Identifying the technologies used for textile recovery and recycling across Member States, with a view to supporting fair and uniform standards.
- Capacity Building: In response to identified implementation challenges, the project will promote knowledge exchange and training opportunities through IMPEL, supporting authorities in dealing with complex and emerging waste streams.
- This initiative also contributes to the broader objective of developing EU-wide end-of-waste criteria, helping to reduce legal uncertainty, market distortions, and environmental risks associated with textile waste management. The project’s findings will inform future policy development, foster a level playing field for secondary raw materials, and strengthen the EU’s transition toward a circular, low-carbon economy.
Follow this page for updates and key developments throughout the course of the project.