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The European Circular Textile Coalition Pushes for a Waste-Free Future

In an ambitious bid to transform the textile industry, the European Circular Textile Coalition, spearheaded by Reju alongside 11 other companies, has launched a manifesto calling for a fully circular textile economy. This initiative highlights a critical need for change, urging the European Union (EU) to rethink its approach to textile waste, which generates a staggering 12.6 million tonnes annually. Alarmingly, statistics reveal that most of this waste is either discarded in landfills, incinerated, or exported, with a mere 1% being recycled into new garments.

The coalition emphasizes that this situation is no longer acceptable and insists on immediate action from EU policymakers. The manifesto eloquently argues that we should not view textile waste as an unavoidable reality; rather, it can be tackled as a significant challenge for our generation. Their crusade centers around the premise that a waste-free world is not just a dream—it's achievable.

Urgent Call to Action

The manifesto outlines specific policy pillars aimed at driving this transformation. Firstly, it calls for ensuring a competitive European textile chain, advocating for bringing textile production back to Europe to maintain high environmental and labor standards. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of quality textile-to-textile recycling, making post-consumer textile waste the primary resource for producing new textiles. Lastly, it seeks to establish mandatory targets for recycled content in textiles, incrementally introducing ambitious yet realistic goals over time.

According to Patrik Frisk, CEO of Reju, the coalition's formation is pivotal for collaborative industry change. He stresses that voluntary measures have invariably fallen short, highlighting the necessity of binding standards to boost demand for recycled materials. Frisk passionately asserts, “Change truly happens through collaboration, and this coalition is crucial for us to push for change together.”

Engaging Policymakers and the Industry

The coalition plans to embark on an advocacy tour to connect with policymakers across the EU, welcoming additional stakeholders from the textile value chain to join their cause. They firmly believe that the time for action is now and that with concerted efforts, a world without waste can become a reality.

To support their mission, the coalition points to the potential benefits of creating a circular textile economy—not only will it enhance environmental sustainability, but it can also drive innovation and create green jobs in Europe. By repurposing textile waste, the industry can unlock new opportunities for economic growth while simultaneously addressing pressing environmental concerns.

The coalition's members include notable companies across the textile spectrum, including Resortecs, COLEO, Tissage de Charlieu, and many others. Collectively, they represent a force advocating for substantial reform in how textiles are produced, consumed, and recycled.

About Reju and its Vision

Reju is at the forefront of this transformative initiative, focusing on innovative solutions for regenerating polyester textiles and post-consumer PET waste. With backing from Technip Energies and leveraging technology developed by IBM Research, Reju is committed to realizing a global textile recycling system that facilitates the regeneration and recirculation of polyester textiles.

To explore more about Reju's initiatives and the European Circular Textile Coalition, interested parties can visit their official website. The coalition invites those interested in contributing to this significant cause to join their mission for a sustainable future in textiles.

In conclusion, the European Circular Textile Coalition's call for action is a crucial step toward achieving a circular textile economy—even amid the hurdles of industry change. With determination and collaboration, a sustainable future can indeed be within reach.