WRAP Report Highlights Growing Role of Extended Producer Responsibility in Textile Circularity
A new report from the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), funded by Nike, examines how Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies are reshaping textile waste management as governments around the world introduce new regulations. The study finds that textile EPR schemes are already in force in several markets, including France, the Netherlands, Hungary, Kenya, Latvia and California, while legislation is under development across numerous countries in Europe, North America and beyond. By shifting responsibility for end-of-life product management from governments to producers, EPR policies are expected to accelerate circularity, improve textile collection and recycling systems, and reduce the volume of clothing sent to landfill.
The report identifies several priorities for effective implementation, including ensuring that overseas sellers are subject to the same obligations as domestic producers, simplifying compliance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and strengthening enforcement mechanisms to prevent free-riding. It also underscores the importance of harmonised reporting requirements and investment in reuse, repair and fibre-to-fibre recycling infrastructure. With less than 1% of clothing currently recycled into new garments, WRAP argues that well-designed EPR schemes can serve not only as regulatory tools but also as catalysts for scaling circular business models and advancing a more resource-efficient global textile industry.
