On February 20, the Council presidency and European Parliament representatives reached a provisional agreement to revise the Waste Framework Directive. This agreement sets EU targets for reducing food waste by 2030 and aims to create a more sustainable textile sector.
The EU generates over 59 million tonnes of food waste annually, costing around €132 billion. It also produces 12.6 million tonnes of textile waste yearly, with clothing and footwear accounting for 5.2 million tonnes—about 12 kilogrammes per person annually.
The agreement still needs confirmation from both institutions before formal adoption.
“Today’s agreement on waste textile marks a significant step towards a robust, circular, and competitive EU economy while upholding the polluter pays principle. Additionally, the EU is for the first time setting ambitious food waste reduction targets, for more sustainable food systems in the EU,” Paulina Hennig-Kloska, Polish Minister for Climate and Environment, said.
Less food waste by 2030
The two co-legislators have agreed on targets to reduce food waste by 2030. They aim for a 10% reduction in processing and manufacturing waste and a 30% reduction per capita in waste from retail, restaurants, food services, and households, both compared to the averages from 2021 to 2023.
These targets are the first established at the EU level, and the agreement highlights the importance of voluntarily donating unsold food safe for human consumption to help reduce waste.
New rules on waste textile
The provisional agreement sets harmonised rules for textile producers and fashion brands’ extended producer responsibility (EPR). They will be accountable for their waste and must pay fees based on the sustainability and circularity of their product designs.
The agreement will address the overproduction of waste textiles and ultra-fast and fast fashion practices, preventing disposal before the products reach their entire lifespan. Member states may adjust fees according to the durability of textile products, ensuring all companies, including smaller ones, have access to necessary resources for waste management. Microenterprises will have an additional year, totalling 3.5 years, to comply with these obligations.
The Council and the Parliament must endorse this agreement before a legal revision. Once adopted, EU member states will have up to 20 months to update their laws. The Commission will review various aspects of the waste framework directive, including financing EPR schemes and setting targets for textile and food waste reduction by 2029 and 2035, respectively.
