EU Bans Destruction of Unsold Clothes

The European Union is set to ban the destruction of unsold clothing, fashion accessories and footwear by certain companies, as part of broader efforts to curb textile waste and reduce environmental damage.

The European Commission said on Monday that the ban will apply to large companies starting on July 19, with medium sized firms expected to follow in 2030.

Under the new rules, existing reporting obligations for large companies on the disposal of unsold clothing will be expanded. By 2030, medium sized companies will also be required to disclose how much unsold apparel they discard, increasing transparency across the sector.

European authorities estimate that between 4 percent and 9 percent of unsold clothing is destroyed every year in Europe. This practice contributes to approximately 5.6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, highlighting the significant environmental cost of textile waste.

The move is part of the EU’s wider strategy to promote sustainable production and consumption, encourage circular economy practices and reduce the climate impact of the fashion industry.