EU Bans Destruction of Unsold Clothes at Firms Above €50 Million as 1 in 5 Online Orders Return
Updated
Updated · DW (English) · Jul 19
EU Bans Destruction of Unsold Clothes at Firms Above €50 Million as 1 in 5 Online Orders Return
3 articles · Updated · DW (English) · Jul 19
Summary
Large EU fashion companies with more than 250 employees and over €50 million in annual turnover can no longer destroy unsold clothes, shoes and accessories under rules that took effect Sunday.
The ban targets waste driven by fast fashion and e-commerce returns: 4% to 9% of unsold textiles are destroyed each year, and one in five online fashion purchases is returned and often not resold.
Companies must instead try discounts, alternative markets or charity donations, and may destroy goods only if they are unsafe, damaged, counterfeit or rejected by charities; they must also report discarded goods annually and keep records for five years.
The rule will extend to medium-sized firms in 2030, part of the EU's push for a more circular textile industry that cuts emissions and boosts reuse and recycling.
German retailers said shoppers could benefit from more discounted stock, but warned resale or donation will still be difficult for some goods because of packaging damage, logistics costs, weak demand and low product values.
What prevents unsold clothes from simply being dumped outside the EU now that the new fashion waste ban is active?
The EU just banned destroying unsold clothes. Will this finally curb fast fashion, or just make it more expensive?
With recycling tech lagging, where will millions of unsold garments go now that Europe’s fashion waste ban is here?
EU Ban on Destruction of Unsold Clothes: Immediate Impact, Business Transformation, and the Path to a Circular Fashion Economy
Overview
The European Union has introduced a major ban on destroying unsold clothes, accessories, and footwear, starting with large companies in July 2026. This move targets the problem of textile waste and overproduction, which often leads to the harmful practice of discarding or burning new products, causing resource loss and pollution. The ban is part of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which aims to make products in the EU more durable, reusable, and recyclable. By enforcing these rules, the EU hopes to boost circularity, reduce environmental harm, and encourage more responsible business practices in the fashion industry.