COPENHAGEN - Exports of discarded textiles from the European Union to developing countries in Africa and Asia have tripled over the last 20 years, according to a new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA).
The EEA says the figures highlight the challenges Europe faces in handling its used textiles - with only two years to go until separate collections of used textiles become mandatory in the EU from 2025.
The report, entitled EU exports of used textiles in Europe’s circular economy, is based on a detailed analysis by the EEA's European Topic Centre of Circular Economy and Resource Use and predicts that exports of textile waste are likely to increase further.
