EU to ban destruction of unsold textiles and footwear, EEA briefing estimates 4-9% of textiles destroyed before use (eea.europa.eu)

• EU ban on destruction of unsold textiles and footwear agreed as part of Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR).
• EEA estimates 4-9% of textiles put on market in Europe are destroyed before use (264,000-594,000 tonnes/year).
• Online clothing return rate averages 20%; 22-43% of returned clothing is destroyed.
• Unsold textiles average 21% of stock; about one-fifth of those are destroyed.
• Small and micro companies exempted; medium companies get 6-year exemption from ban.

"The European Environment Agency (EEA) published a briefing on the destruction of returned and unsold textiles in Europe, coinciding with the EU's decision to ban such destruction. The EEA estimates that 4-9% of all textile products put on the market in Europe (264,000-594,000 tonnes per year) are destroyed before use. Online clothing return rates average 20%, with 22-43% of returned items destroyed. Unsold textiles average 21% of stock, of which about one-fifth is destroyed. The ban, part of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, exempts small and micro companies, with a 6-year exemption for medium-sized ones."