Textiles

The fashion industry is estimated to be responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions, however only 31% of Irish people see a link between purchasing textiles and climate change.

Recent research from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that textiles such as clothing and household textiles make up 9% of waste in the general waste bin.

Globally, it is estimated that one full truckload of textiles goes to landfill or incineration every second while less than 1% of material used to produce clothing is recycled into new products. The rest is landfilled, incinerated or exported overseas where it has a negative environmental and social impact.

For more information on textile waste please visit the EPA website.

European Commission Proposal for Targeted Amendments to the Waste Framework Directive with respect to textiles (2023)

The European Commission published its proposal in July 2023 to introduce a mandatory EU wide Extended Producer Responsibility scheme for textiles by way of a revision to the current Waste Framework Directive. This draft Directive to give effect to the proposal is currently being negotiated at EU level. For more information see the European Commission website. If you would like further information on this or to provide feedback on the Proposal please contact the Circular Economy Materials Management Division on CircEconMaterials@decc.gov.ie

A General Approach on the Proposal was approved by the Environment Council on 17 June 2024. The update and the text of the General Approach can be accessed on the European Council website at Waste framework directive: Council set to start talks on its revision - Consilium (europa.eu).

It is easy to reduce textile consumption and waste by reflecting on what we really need, repair where possible and choose preloved and second hand as the first port of call.

Below are some ideas for textile re-use:

Clothes Swaps

Clothes swaps offer a great opportunity for clothes to have longer useful lives while helping address textile environmental impacts.

Here are a number of useful links to find out more:

• Dublin City Council
• Change Clothes Crumlin

Buying pre-loved

You can bring your used textiles to your local charity shop, or look for your next purchase – you can find a charity shop near you on the Charity Retail Ireland website.

Textile Repairs

Choose to repair your clothes and wear the clothes you love for longer. You can find a directory of repair services on the Repair My Stuff website.

For more information on what you can do with your used textiles go to the MyWaste website.

In 2022, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications established a Textile Advisory Group as a sub-Group of the Waste Advisory Group. It consists of relevant industry, community and regulatory representatives to identify opportunities to capitalise on the value of textiles present in Ireland and explore options to improve future circularity in the sector.

Find out more about the Textiles Advisory Group