The implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws is crucial in mitigating textile waste, as it imposes liability on manufacturers for the complete product lifespan, encompassing end-of-life handling.
A recent investigation by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, a non-profit organization that promotes the circular economy, found that waste related to fashion and textiles is a major global issue that calls for robust Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws and involvement.
EPR policies are said to be essential tools for obtaining this kind of financing. Manufacturers must gather, sort, and recycle their items in accordance with EPR regulations after customers have thrown them away.
EPR uses Design for Environment (DfE) principles to create textiles that are more reusable, readily recyclable, and resilient. By using single-fibre compositions or biodegradable materials, for example, recycling processes might be streamlined and their detrimental impact on the environment reduced.
Producers are often required by EPR programs to either return their goods or pay funds for recycling initiatives. This promotes higher recycling rates and the development of a circular economy, which reduces the need for virgin resources by reusing and repurposing items on an ongoing basis.
EPR regulations drastically lower the amount of textile waste that ends up in landfills by requiring the recycling or appropriate disposal of textiles. Years may pass before textiles in landfills break down, releasing dangerous chemicals and greenhouse gasses. EPR lessens the impact of these environmental risks.
Implementing the Textile EPR is not without challenges. It is essential to have robust regulatory frameworks, effective enforcement mechanisms, and collaboration between the public sector, business community, and consumers. Additionally, the infrastructure for textile recycling needs to be developed enough to handle increased garbage collection volumes.
The study recommends that in order to support this growing environment and enable the commercialization of textile-to-textile recycling, brands and retailers should make investments in reverse logistics infrastructure and long-term sourcing agreements with recyclers.
