EU bans destruction of unsold apparel by large firms

The European Union has introduced new regulations that prohibit large companies from disposing of unsold clothing, accessories, and footwear. The rules, aimed at reducing textile waste, require firms with a certain turnover threshold to explore alternative disposal methods, such as recycling, resale, or donation, before any unsold inventory can be discarded.

Under the directive, companies must report their surplus stock and the measures taken to manage it. Failure to comply can result in penalties, and the policy is part of a broader EU strategy to promote a circular economy and meet the continent’s climate and waste‑management targets. The legislation also obliges businesses to provide transparent information to consumers about the environmental impact of their products.

The new rules are expected to shift how apparel and footwear brands handle excess inventory, encouraging more sustainable supply‑chain practices and potentially reducing the volume of textile waste that currently ends up in landfills across the EU.