EPR Textiles: What you need to know
End-to-end solution for producers navigating global textile Extended Producer Responsibility. Explore our global service-offering here.
What is textile EPR?
Textile Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) places the onus on producers to manage the full lifecycle of textile products, from design through to end-of-life. That means items such as garments, footwear, and household textiles might no longer be just your responsibility when they hit the shelves, but long after they’ve been used.
With EPR, producers must take accountability for how their products are collected, reused, recycled, or responsibly disposed of. It’s about turning a linear model into a circular one, where waste becomes resource.
Get in touchWhy is textile EPR needed?
The fashion and textiles sector is one of the most resource-intensive industries on the planet. As global legislation continues to establish itself around the world to support, staying ahead of the curve is no longer optional for businesses, it’s essential.
In Europe alone, producers face multiple regulations relating to textiles. This shifting landscape can feel complex, but that’s where we come in. Reconomy makes textile EPR simple, strategic, and sustainable.
Less than 1%
of textiles worldwide is recycled into new products
12.6 million tonnes
of textile waste is produced in the EU each year
Introducing textiles EPR will:
Our global reach
Reconomy supports some of the world’s biggest brands in embedding circular practices across global operations. With our scale, expertise and partnerships, we offer:
Coverage of over 150 countries
Managing over 132m product returns
10% reduction in our customers’ carbon intensity since 2020
Owned operations in more than 80 countries
Coverage of over 150 countries
Managing over 132m product returns
10% reduction in our customers’ carbon intensity since 2020
Owned operations in more than 80 countries
Bundle services without losing expertise
Our specialist brands’ international capabilities span the entire resource cycle and each bring a unique set of skills that together fulfil our ReDress solution, enabling businesses globally to solve the complex questions posed by textiles EPR.
Additional services
Explore the additional services Reconomy can provide below:
Do you have multiple services you need assistance with? Please get in touch
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We help businesses solve modern sustainability challenges by embracing the circular economy
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FAQs
Explore some of the most frequently asked questions surrouding EPR textiles.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in textiles means manufacturers, retailers, and importers are legally required to manage the entire lifecycle of their products, including recycling and waste disposal, rather than leaving it to consumers or municipalities.
As of now, textile EPR is not mandatory in the UK, but the UK government is actively exploring its introduction. Brands are encouraged to prepare by engaging with voluntary schemes and enhancing their data systems.
To comply, you’ll need to join a registered PRO in each country you operate, report volumes placed on the market, pay eco-modulated fees, and participate in take-back schemes. Reconomy helps you manage all of this under one roof.
Generally: clothing, footwear, accessories, household textiles (like towels and bed linens), and sometimes bags and workwear. Definitions vary by location.
Eco-modulated fees are charges producers pay based on how environmentally friendly their products are. More sustainable designs typically cost less to register, encouraging better design from the start.
