EU enacts regulations against food spoilage and quick-changing fashion trends via a new legislation
In a bid to address the pressing issue of waste, the European Parliament has approved a new law aimed at reducing food and textile waste within the 27 member states. This landmark decision, made in Strasbourg, sets binding targets for each country to reduce waste and establish a more sustainable future.
According to Brussels estimates, each person in the EU produces an alarming 130 kilograms of food waste and 15 kilograms of textile waste annually. The new EU Waste Framework Directive, adopted by the Parliament, aims to reduce this waste by 30 percent by 2030. This ambitious goal applies to all manufacturers across the Union, including measures such as extended producer responsibility fees for textile producers and targets for reducing food waste.
The new measures are designed to save valuable resources like water, fertilizers, and energy that are currently being wasted in the production of food that ultimately ends up as waste. Similarly, the production of a single cotton t-shirt consumes a staggering 2,700 liters of water, highlighting the need for more sustainable practices in the textile industry.
The hospitality industry has expressed criticism towards the new law, but the EU remains resolute in its commitment to reducing waste. The new regulations set binding targets for EU countries to reduce food waste from restaurants, retailers, and private households by 30 percent by 2030.
In the realm of textiles, the new rules apply to a wide range of products, including clothing, carpets, and mattresses. The law also holds textile manufacturers accountable for collecting, sorting, and recycling textile waste. Currently, less than one percent of all textiles worldwide are recycled, a statistic the EU hopes to improve significantly.
The EU also hopes that these new measures can counter the impacts of cheap textile imports, particularly from China. By encouraging sustainable practices and waste reduction, the EU aims to level the playing field and promote a more environmentally friendly industry.
With these new regulations in place, the European Parliament is taking a significant step towards a more sustainable future. The reduction of food and textile waste not only benefits the environment but also promotes resource efficiency and economic growth. As the world continues to grapple with environmental challenges, the EU's commitment to waste reduction serves as a beacon of hope for a greener, more sustainable future.
