European Circular Textile Coalition Urges Shift Toward Waste-Free Textile Economy

According to a report by Reju and partner organizations, a newly established European Circular Textile Coalition has released a joint manifesto urging the European Union to accelerate the transition toward a fully circular textile economy. The initiative aims to turn post-consumer textile waste into a driver of green growth, innovation, and competitiveness.

As reported by the coalition, Europe currently generates around 12.6 million tonnes of textile waste every year, most of which ends up in landfills, incinerators, or overseas markets. Only about 1% is recycled back into new textiles—a situation the coalition describes as “no longer acceptable.” The manifesto states that textile waste should not be treated as inevitable, but rather as “a solvable challenge for our generation.”

It is reported that the coalition is calling on the EU to align regulatory ambition with tangible investment in recycling infrastructure and circular manufacturing systems. Without such readiness, the group warns, even the most forward-looking policies could fall short of their intended impact.

According to Reju CEO Patrik Frisk, the coalition reflects a shared commitment to industry-wide transformation. “Change happens with collaboration. That is why this coalition is important to drive change collectively as an industry pulling together and we welcome more businesses to join us,” he said in a statement. The group further insists that voluntary measures have proven insufficient, arguing that binding standards are now essential to create consistent market demand for recycled materials.

The manifesto reportedly outlines three main policy directions: ensuring a competitive European textile chain through reshoring production, prioritizing textile-to-textile recycling as the core of circular production, and introducing mandatory recycled-content targets phased in over time. These actions, the coalition argues, will help Europe build a resilient and sustainable textile industry aligned with its climate objectives.

It is also reported that the coalition will soon launch an advocacy tour across Europe to engage policymakers, manufacturers, and recyclers. The campaign seeks to expand industry participation and strengthen collective action toward a circular textile future.

Analysts note that this initiative aligns with the European Union’s Circular Economy Action Plan, which seeks to make sustainable products the norm across all sectors. With growing regulatory pressure and consumer demand for transparency, textile circularity is increasingly viewed as a competitive necessity rather than a voluntary aspiration.

Source: Reju