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🗞️ Driving the news: Fast fashion and increased production have led to toxic emissions and environmental degradation
• The Ellen Macarthur Foundation highlights the sector's extensive water use, and statistics show an alarming trend of clothes ending up in landfills
• Initiatives like wool recycling in Italy's Prato and the EU's Digital Product Passport are aiming to counter these trends

🔭 The context: The textile industry, known for fast fashion, cheap clothing, and its environmental toll, is under scrutiny for its impacts on the environment
• With Europe's consumption of textiles ranking high in environmental impacts, new strategies and shifts toward a circular economy are emerging
• This includes innovative approaches like Italy's recycling leadership and the EU's proposed QR clothing passport

🌎 Why does it matter for the planet: With the textile industry responsible for significant pollution, water consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions, shifting towards sustainable practices is essential for global environmental well-being

⏭️ What's next: The European waste framework directive is due to be revised, potentially leading to industrial polluters paying for selective textile collection
• A new textile sorting hub will be built in Prato to modernize the recycling sector
• Meanwhile, companies like Vinted promote second-hand shopping, and EU regulations aim to foster transparency and sustainability

💬 One quote: "When we design a garment, we have to think about it in such a way that when its life ends, it can be easily repaired, recycled, and reused. It's what we call the magic circle of the circular economy. Today, we have a great opportunity. The Green Deal and Europe are showing us the way." (Fabrizio Tesi, CEO of Comistra)

📈 One stat: In 2020, EU citizens bought 6.6 million tonnes of clothing and footwear, but only 14% of clothing fashion transactions are second-hand

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