Textile operators seek sustainable EPR rules for recycling

Industry operators Humana People to People Italia and Assoambiente are calling for regulatory frameworks that ensure the economic sustainability of post-consumer textile collection, sorting, and recycling. During the ‘Impianti Aperti’ event, stakeholders emphasized that the upcoming Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system must prioritize the reuse of garments and support existing local infrastructure and expertise.

The sector is currently facing a crisis driven by rising management costs due to increased textile waste volumes and shrinking profit margins. This decline is attributed to a drop in material quality caused by the rise of fast and ultra-fast fashion. Operators warn that the industry cannot simply wait for EPR contributions to arrive; instead, rules must be established to guarantee the traceability of used clothing exported outside of Europe and to address structural challenges within the supply chain.