Consumption of clothing, footwear, and other textiles in the European Union (EU) has reached a new record high, with the average EU citizen buying 19 kilograms of textiles in 2022, up from 17 kg in 2019. This increase in consumption is placing greater pressure on the environment and climate, according to a report by the European Environment Agency (EEA). The briefing emphasizes the need for action from policymakers, industry, and consumers to shift towards producing better-quality textiles that last longer and can be reused, repaired, or recycled.
The fast fashion trend, driven by cheap production costs, social media, and online shopping, has contributed significantly to this increase. While digital technologies like 3D printing can help reduce waste, they also risk boosting consumption by lowering production costs further. As a result, the environmental impact of the EU’s textile consumption ranks fifth among all household consumption categories, in terms of raw material use, greenhouse gas emissions, and water and land use.
In 2022, the EU generated approximately 6.94 million tonnes of textile waste, or 16 kg per person. Despite some progress, such as a decrease in the percentage of textile waste sent to landfills, 85% of textile waste from households is not collected separately, limiting its potential for reuse or recycling. The EU is set to implement legislation in 2025 for the separate collection of textile waste, which is expected to improve textile waste management.
The export of used textiles has also tripled since 2000, with 1.4 million tonnes exported in 2023. However, the fate of these exports is complex, as some end up being burned or dumped in nature, especially in African and Asian countries, raising concerns about the global impact of textile waste. The EEA’s Circularity Metrics Lab is now monitoring the progress of the EU’s textile strategy, which aims to make textiles more circular and sustainable by design.
