The Environment Committee has adopted its proposals to better prevent and reduce textile and food waste across the EU.
Every year, 60 million tonnes of food waste (131 kg per person) and 12.6 million tonnes of textile waste are generated in the EU. Clothing and shoes alone represent 5.2 million tonnes of waste, the equivalent of 12 kg of waste per person per year. It is estimated that less than 1% of all textiles worldwide are recycled into new products.
On Wednesday, MEPs in the Environment Committee adopted their position on the proposed revision of the Waste Framework Directive, by 72 votes in favor, none against and three abstentions.
More ambitious food waste reduction targets
MEPs want to increase the binding waste reduction targets proposed by the Commission to at least 20% in food processing and manufacturing (instead of 10%) and to 40% per capita in retail, restaurants, catering services and households (instead of 30%). , compared to the annual average generated between 2020 and 2022. EU countries It should be ensured that these targets are achieved at national level by December 31, 2030.
MEPs also want the Commission to assess the possibility and make appropriate legislative proposals to introduce higher targets for 2035 (at least 30% and 50% respectively).
Extended producer responsibility for textile products, clothing and footwear
The new rules, as adopted by MEPs, would establish extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes, through which economic operators who make textiles available on the EU market would cover the costs of their separate collection, their sorting and recycling. Member States should establish these schemes 18 months after the entry into force of the directive (compared to 30 months proposed by the Commission). At the same time, EU countries should ensure, by January 1, 2025, the separate collection of textiles for reuse, preparation for reuse and recycling.
These rules would cover textile products such as clothing and accessories, blankets, bed linen, curtains, hats, shoes, mattresses and carpets, including products containing textile-related materials such as leather. , bonded leather, rubber or plastic.
Citation
Rapporteur Anna Zalewska (ECR, PL) said: “We propose targeted solutions to reduce food waste, such as promoting ‘ugly’ fruit and vegetables, monitoring unfair market practices, clarifying the labeling of dates and the donation of unsold but consumable food. For textiles, we fill the gaps by also including non-household products, carpets and mattresses, as well as sales via online platforms. We are also asking for an objective to reduce textile waste, with supervision of used textiles exported. Better infrastructure to increase selective collection should be complemented by more efficient sorting of mixed municipal waste, so that items that can be recycled are extracted before being sent to the incinerator or landfill.
Next steps
The packed house is expected to vote on its position during the plenary session in March 2024. The file will be followed up by the new Parliament after the European elections from June 6 to 9.
Originally published in The European Times.
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