The time for destroying unsold textile products has finished. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, in 2023, approximately 100 million tons of textile waste were produced worldwide, 87% of which ended up in landfills or incinerators, and only one percent recycled.
The amount of textile waste is expected to increase further, reaching almost 150 million tons by 2030, according to various studies. Unfortunately, the fashion industry continues to push disposable products.
According to European Union studies every year in the EU, they generate up to 12.6 million tons textile waste. Only apparel and footwear thrown away counts for 5.2 tons in EU, about 12 kilos per person per year.
However, starting from 19 July 2026, major European textile and fashion companies will no longer be able to destroy unsold products, nor will be allowed to expert them to extra-UE countries–a widespread practice that filled huge open air landfill areas filled with heaps of abandoned clothes in countries like Ghana or Chile.
As of today, July 19, 2026, the EU Regulation on Ecodesign for Sustainable Products (ESPR) goes into effect, prohibiting the destruction of unsold or returned clothing, footwear, hats, and accessories. Instead, companies must opt to reuse, recycle, repair, or donate unsold items, with the sole exception of products that are hazardous, non-compliant, counterfeit, or damaged.
The regulation also introduces an annual reporting requirement on the volumes of unsold items disposed of, the reasons for disposal, and their final destinations (reuse, recycling, energy recovery, or disposal). The measure applies immediately to large companies and, starting in 2030, to medium-sized companies as well.
The new European regulation not only introduces a new operational requirement but will also force companies to redefine how they make decisions. Furthermore, the quality of planning will become an increasingly important competitive factor.
If on the one side, very probably, unsold stocks will be available at more affordable prices, on the other side some companies have started developing services and alternative solutions like supporting donations, recycling and upcycling activities, though, to such an extent, the amount of products to deal with is still enormous.
Among others, many companies have already developed new solutions. like, for instance, Nike offering its Nike Recreation collection, made by upcycling old collection’s pieces and Nike Grind, a sneaker collection made by grinding and recycling old sneakers.
Chanel has founded has founded Nevold, an independent entity dedicated to circularity, whose name is derived from the abbreviation of Never Old.
It is a B2B hub that brings together an ecosystem of companies, start-ups, and academic partners around the goal of inventing, producing, and structuring the materials of tomorrow, incorporating recycled fibers and respecting the criteria of luxury excellence.
Manteco, the responsible wool fabric manufacturer from Prato, continues to develop new alternative solutions. It offers high-quality fabrics by recycling old apparel pieces and production waste within its territoire at a 0-km ray.
Rereri is a new handbag brand founded by Franco Gabbrielli, an entrepreneur and leather accessory designer with a focus on sustainability, in collaboration with Piero Tucci, a Florentine leather factory store. With this project, they creates handbags from luxury leather stock and production leftovers, assembled in unique combinations of materials and colors.
Fulgar, a leading Italian manufacturer of innovative and sustainable yarns, has created Q-Cycle, a fiber made from a polymer derived from old tires, a material that produces significant emissions.
Re&Up is a circular technology company that is part of the global holding company Sanko Group, which aims to redefine the paradigms of the textile-to-textile sector. The company produces new-generation cotton and polyester fibers that maintain the same performance as virgin fibers.
The Korean chemical giant company Hysoung has also recently started an agreement with Loop Industries for the production of endlessly recyclable polyester. Loop Industries is a clean technology Canadian company looking to accelerate the world’s shift toward sustainable PET plastic and polyester fiber and away from the dependence on fossil fuels.
Finds Solutions, instead, is a French B2B digital platform specialized in optimizing surplus stock by helping brands and companies connecting with resale experts and platforms, exchange stocks of unsold products, compare available options and get the most out of one’s unsold products. They can also trace unsold products and generate ESG reports.
More new solutions need to be found. Creativity, imagination and a visionary approach can make a difference. A new journey has just started. The sky is the limit.