For the first time, the **European Union (EU)** has imposed mandatory legal targets for member countries to reduce **food waste**. Legislators have agreed on a 30% reduction in retailers, restaurants, catering services, and households by the end of the decade.
Regarding food processors and manufacturers, the target for 2030 is a 10% decrease; both targets are based on the average of the three years prior to 2023. According to EU estimates, more than 59 million **tons of food** are wasted each year, resulting in a loss of 132 billion euros.
Reforms in the textile industry and extended producer responsibility
The reforms of the EU’s waste framework directive, agreed this morning after an intense closed-door negotiation session between MEPs and government delegates, also affect the **textile industry**.
The new harmonized rules on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) require textile manufacturers and fashion brands to pay a fee to finance the collection, sorting, and **recycling of waste**, depending on the level of **circularity and sustainability** of their products.
In a measure directly targeting ‘fast fashion’ practices, such as the cheap and almost disposable clothing from online platforms, EU governments are also empowered to adjust these fees based on the durability of garments.
“The rapid growth of e-commerce offers many opportunities, but also poses a significant challenge, especially in terms of environmental protection,” reads the agreed text.
Consequences and challenges in the fight against waste
The legislation allows penalizing **aggressive marketing strategies** that encourage disposing of garments before they are worn out, practices that according to the regulations “can lead to excessive **consumption of textile products** and, consequently, to an excessive generation of waste.”
Criteria that can be considered include the variety of products offered by a retailer and the availability of repair services and incentives. Advocates for the **fight against waste** praised the EU’s action but were disappointed by the level of ambition reflected in the main goals.
“Ten years ago, the EU and its Member States committed to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including a 50% reduction in **food waste** across the entire supply chain,” said Theresa Mörsen, policy officer at the Brussels-based NGO Zero Waste Europe.
Lack of measures in the production sector
The group also criticized the lack of **waste reduction measures at the production level**, pointing out that EU statistics suggest that around 11% of food is wasted before leaving the farm. According to Mörsen, action in the **textile sector** also leaves room for improvement.
“We expected Member States to be inspired by existing systems in France and the Netherlands and to support EPR with **specific goals for achieving circularity**.”
Polish MEP Anna Zalewska, from the far-right European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR), took credit for protecting farmers from the obligation to reduce food waste.
“We have managed to **ensure viable and realistic provisions** for Member States to implement food waste reduction policies and have succeeded in not negatively affecting the agricultural sector,” she stated.
The agreement is provisional and subject to approval by government ministers at a **EU Council summit**, a procedure that is normally a formality.
Cover Photo: Shutterstock
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