EU Takes Steps to Limit Fast Fashion

The EU proposed a new set of rules that outlines mandatory minimums for recycled textiles by 2030. They are also making changes to replace the throwaway culture. 

According to EcoWatch, the EU's Vice President said the block wants sustainable products to become more common. He also reiterated that our clothes should last more than three washes.

The EU already has energy efficiency standards for household items such as washing machines. They want to broaden this to clothing as well. The commission is also asking companies for information on how much unused material they are sending to the landfills. They aim to ban this entirely in time. 

“Currently, clothing has the fourth-highest environmental and climate impact in the EU, after food, housing and transport. The bloc has a per capita fashion footprint of nine cubic meters (approximately 318 cubic feet) of water, 400 square meters (approximately 4,306 cubic feet) of land, 391 kilograms (approximately 862 pounds) of raw materials and 270 kilograms (approximately 595 pounds) of greenhouse gas emissions.”

Three-quarters of textiles used in the EU are bought and imported from abroad, so these new rules could also have international consequences. This could be a good thing, as only one percent of clothing is recycled worldwide.