Make Partnerships
#1.1 Partnerships between collectors/sorters, fiber producers and spinners
Collectors and sorters of textile should establish contacts with textile spinning companies and address technical issues about qualities and quantities of recycled fibres.
Actions include support to spinning mill to set up partnerships outside the traditional value chains, and investment in new technologies and business models.
#1.2 Partnerships between authorities & industry involved in recycling
The mandatory separate collection of textiles by end of 2024 requires economically effective solutions. These solutions should be replicable throughout Europe.
European Authorities should facilitate the set-up of recycling facilities. This must consider the local availability of textiles businesses.
“There are no textile recycling companies in Finland.”
“There is a need for a reprocessing industry and creation of reverse logistic, e.g. Scotland faces problems on what to do with the waste which now are to be shipped out of the country.”
“We need a textile recycling facility within 250km from our factory.”
#1.3 Partnerships between Public procurers & industries
On average, public procurement in the EU accounted for 13.1 % of the GDP (2015). It means that almost €1.923 billions were spent by public bodies purchasing goods or services. That is a formidable leverage which Member States can use to boost closed-loop productions, promote scale economies which lower costs, or lead by example.
Across all European States, authorities would need incentives to choose high quality and durable products, reward low-impact manufacturing processes, favour products designed with recycled or biobased/biodegradable materials. It would also be useful to aggregate public procurement demands.
#1.4 Partnerships between designers/ brands/ retailers & manufactures
The global garment and fashion industry is a powerful engine for global growth and development, but the current mainstream models are not fit for resource efficiency, social justice and sustainable consumptions. While many brands already address too-fast consumption, sustainable productions and products, many players still need to reconcile economic, environmental and social sustainability.
Partnerships can educate designers and consumers on circularity in textiles, and promote research and innovation for the recyclability of materials.
#1.5 Partnerships between EU and National Authorities
Successful recycling of textiles will inevitably address more than 20 billion of products made outside the jurisdiction of the EU. EURATEX suggests a reality check on consumers’ preferences and market dynamics, in particular the uncontrolled circulation of products. If products contain harmful chemicals, companies will face extra costs and challenges to recycle.
It is important then to stop systematic free-riding behaviour of business which are non-compliant with EU regulation. VAT reduction for sustainable products should be also coordinated across EU Members States.
“Building on the Plastic Strategy the Commission may facilitate partnerships by coordinating round-tables with key actors who select, make, work with and use textiles.”
#1.6 Partnerships between strategic partners
Collective intelligence is needed to design policies which can remove barriers and deliver breakthrough changes on how products are made, used and re-used after the life stage.
Under the coordination of the European Commission, the work and early results of representative players may be used to speed up the design and implementation of new polices.
Do you want to know more about this action? Check EURATEX strategy or contact us.
