Today, the industry produces about 100 billion garments annually, with tens of millions of tons of textiles ending up in landfills. Production requires huge resources: from agricultural land for cotton to oil for synthetics and chemicals for dyeing fabrics, Forbes writes. Together, the fashion industry contributes up to 10% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions – more than aviation and shipping combined.
The problem is largely due to the “fast fashion” model. Whereas in the past collections were updated seasonally, today new lines appear every few weeks. This encourages overproduction, and the garment’s useful life is shortened. As a result, some products are doomed to remain unclaimed from the outset.
Previously, it was easier for brands to destroy leftovers: storage and recycling were more expensive. In the luxury segment, this was supplemented by the factor of maintaining exclusivity – excess goods could reduce their value. However, public pressure and environmental risks forced regulators to intervene.
The new law still applies to large companies with more than 250 employees and an annual turnover exceeding €50 million, such as LVMH (Louis Vuitton, Dior, Fendi), Prada Group, Nike and Adidas, but by 2030 the requirements will affect medium-sized businesses. It is part of a wider EU strategy to promote sustainable production. Additional measures include the introduction of digital product passports, which will specify the origin of materials and how they are recycled, as well as extended producer responsibility for recycling products after use.
Nevertheless, experts warn: businesses may look for ways to circumvent the restrictions. There are already examples of companies donating their surplus to charity, receiving tax benefits, but in fact they only shift the problem to non-profit organizations. The issue of exporting unwanted clothes to developing countries, where they are often turned into waste, remains open.
Despite the possible difficulties of implementation, the EU initiative is an important step in the fight against overproduction. It not only imposes specific restrictions, but also sets new standards of transparency and responsibility that may eventually change the very logic of the fashion industry.
