New EU Rules to Reduce Textile and Food Waste

Introduction

The European Union has taken another step toward a circular economy: the European Parliament has adopted new legislation aimed at significantly reducing food and textile waste across the EU. The goal is to use resources more efficiently, lower environmental impacts, and accelerate the transition to a more sustainable economic system.

Key Provisions

Reducing Food Waste

By 2030, Member States must reduce food waste by at least 30% in retail, food services, and households, and by at least 10% in food processing and production.

To achieve this, Member States will be required to develop national action plans focusing on prevention, redistribution of surplus food, and improved measurement methods.

Reducing Textile Waste

The rules also target waste reduction in the textile sector. Producers will face stronger obligations under the extended producer responsibility (EPR) framework, which now applies to textiles. Companies must ensure that products are more durable, repairable, and recyclable.

Member States are also required to establish separate collection systems for textile waste and promote corresponding recycling infrastructure.

Implications for Companies

The new rules affect multiple industries in different ways:

• Food industry and retail must optimize processes to prevent waste across the entire value chain, requiring investment in logistics, storage, and data management.
• Food services will be required to systematically track and reduce food waste.
• Textile manufacturers and retailers will need to rethink product design and supply chains to meet durability, repairability, and recyclability requirements.

For companies, this means not only additional obligations but also opportunities: those who embrace circular economy principles early can lower costs, drive innovation, and strengthen their competitive position.

Political and Social Context

The new rules are part of the EU Circular Economy Action Plan, a core element of the European Green Deal. They directly address growing criticism of Europe’s “throwaway society” and are designed to put the EU on a path that systematically links resource efficiency and climate protection.

The stakes are high:

• Each year, an estimated 60 million tons of food are wasted in the EU.
• The textile industry is responsible for significant environmental impacts, from CO₂ emissions to water consumption and microplastics.

Conclusion

With these new rules, the EU sets a clear framework to reduce waste in two of the most resource-intensive sectors. For companies, this means substantial change, but also new opportunities for innovation and competitiveness.

The message is clear: those who integrate sustainability into business models and supply chains will not only meet regulatory expectations but also benefit from more efficient processes and greater trust among customers and investors.

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