The European Commission has announced a ban on the destruction of unsold clothing, accessories, and shoes by companies, aimed at reducing the textile waste in Europe. This prohibition will come into effect on July 19 and will initially apply to large companies, with plans to extend it to medium-sized enterprises by 2030. Existing reporting requirements regarding unsold clothes being discarded as waste will also broaden to include medium companies by the same year.

Every year, between 4-9% of unsold garments in Europe are destroyed, resulting in the production of approximately 5.6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions. In France alone, unsold products worth 630 million euros are discarded each year, while Germany sees around 20 million returned items being thrown away. The European Commissioner highlighted that the figures related to waste disposal reveal a pressing need for action to curb these practices.

This initiative is part of a broader commitment from the European Commission to enhance sustainability within the fashion industry and tackle the environmental impact of textile waste. The implications of this policy will not only contribute to reducing waste and emissions but may also prompt a shift in how companies approach unsold inventory, potentially leading to more sustainable practices throughout the industry and influencing consumer behavior towards more responsible consumption.