EU Parliament Approves Landmark Law to Cut Food and Textile Waste by 2030, Holds Producers Accountable

On Tuesday, the EU Parliament finalized legislation aimed at reducing food and textile waste across the Union. The law sets binding targets to cut food waste by 10% in processing and 30% per capita in retail, restaurants, and households by 2030, while promoting the donation of safe unsold food. For textiles, producers will now bear the costs of collection, sorting, and recycling through new extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes covering clothing, footwear, linens, and more, including e-commerce sellers. Member states are encouraged to address fast and ultra-fast fashion practices. The law will be signed and published in the EU Official Journal, giving countries 20 months to transpose it into national legislation.

Textile Waste and Hold Producers Accountable by 2030

The European Union has formally adopted new legislation aimed at reducing food and textile waste across member states by 2030. Under the updated rules, binding targets have been set to cut food waste by 10% in processing and manufacturing, and by 30% per capita in retail, restaurants, food services, and households. These reductions will be measured against the annual average of waste generated between 2021 and 2023. In addition, EU countries are required to ensure that key economic operators play an active role in preventing food waste and facilitating the donation of unsold food that is safe for human consumption.

The legislation also introduces extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes for textile products. Producers making textiles available in the EU, including e-commerce sellers and companies based outside the Union, will be responsible for covering the costs of collecting, sorting, and recycling waste textiles. Member states are tasked with setting up EPR schemes within 30 months of the directive’s entry into force, with micro-enterprises allowed an extra year to comply. The rules cover clothing, footwear, accessories, blankets, bed and kitchen linen, curtains, and potentially mattresses. Governments are also encouraged to address fast and ultra-fast fashion practices when determining financial contributions to the EPR schemes. Following prior agreement by the Council, the European Parliament confirmed adoption of the act.

Further steps

The legislation is set to be signed by both co-legislators before being published in the EU Official Journal. Once in force, member states will have 20 months to implement the rules into their national laws.