On the 1st of June, the European Parliament voted on a resolution about the European Sustainable Textile Strategy that addresses among others matters of due diligence in the textile sector, the promotion of slow fashion, the reduction of textile waste.
To understand the implications of this resolution and discuss the way forward, the European Laudato Si’ Alliance is organising a webinar on the 6th of June at 18:00.
Register for this webinar by clicking here:
The webinar will feature MEP Pernille Weiss from Denmark, Marie Jeanne Gaertner from the RREUSE alliance, Silvia Duck-Silva from the Christian Romero Initiative and two representatives from the Caritas network who will present practical examples of their efforts to make the textile sector more sustainable. This webinar is being organised by Justice and Peace Europe on behalf of the European Laudato Si’ Alliance.
Each year, 92 million tonnes of textile waste are generated worldwide. Most of this waste ends up in landfills. In the EU, 5.8 million tonnes of textile products are discarded each year. This amounts to approximately 11 kg per person, with garments typically having been worn only 7 or 8 times. Textile waste represents one of the largest components of municipal waste and is therefore subject to the recycling targets laid down in a European Directive 2008/98/EC, but no specific textile recycling targets have been set. Finally, less than 1 % of all textiles worldwide are recycled into new products.
In his 2023 message for the Season of Creation, Pope Francis wrote: “With the help of God’s grace, let us adopt lifestyles marked by less waste and unnecessary consumption, especially where the processes of production are toxic and unsustainable. Let us be as mindful as we can about our habits and economic decisions so that all can thrive – our fellow men and women wherever they may be, and future generations as well.”
