New EU Rules: Less Food and Textile Waste by 2030

The European Union is taking significant steps toward more sustainable management of food and textile waste. Representatives of the Council of the EU and the European Parliament have reached a provisional agreement on the revision of the Waste Framework Directive, which sets ambitious targets for reducing food waste by 2030 and introduces new rules for the textile industry.

Targets for reducing food waste by 2030

The agreement establishes two main targets for reducing food waste:

• Processing and manufacturing: Reduce food waste by 10% compared to the average amount generated in 2021–2023.
• Retail, restaurants, food services, and households: Reduce food waste per capita by 30% compared to the 2021–2023 average.

These targets are the first of their kind at the EU level and emphasize the importance of voluntary donation of unsold but safe food as a key measure for reducing waste.

New rules for textile waste

In the area of textile waste, the agreement introduces harmonized rules on extended producer responsibility (EPR). Textile producers and fashion brands will be responsible for the waste generated by their products and will be required to contribute to financing the collection and treatment of this waste. The level of fees will depend on how circular and sustainable the design of their products is.

In addition, the agreement focuses on addressing the excessive generation of textile waste and fast fashion practices. Member States will be able to adjust producer fees based on the durability and lifespan of products, thereby encouraging the production of more durable and sustainable textile goods.

Next steps

The provisional agreement must still be formally approved by the Council of the EU and the European Parliament. Once adopted, Member States will have 20 months to implement the new rules into their national legislation.

These measures represent an important step toward a circular economy in the EU, supporting sustainable production and consumption, reducing the waste of resources, and protecting the environment.