The EU and its member states are working on the architecture for a circular economy for textiles – but the envisaged underlying infrastructure is already collapsing in some cases, warned participants at a panel discussion at the IFAT tradeshow in early May. By the time the EU’s extended producer responsibility (EPR) system for textiles is in place, the current collection and recycling systems may no longer exist: Cheap new clothing is devaluing second-hand apparel, poor-quality stock is making sorting more expensive and recycling fibres is still not a viable substitute business.

Citește mai mult