When you look at your wardrobe, how many items have you completely forgotten about or no longer want to wear, even though you've only worn them a handful of times?
Despite having a full wardrobe, many people often say: "I have nothing to wear."
This constant urge to buy new clothes that we don’t really need makes us overlook the environmental impact of the fashion industry. And we are all part of the problem.
Did you know that the average European buys 26 kilogrammes of clothing per year and throws away 12? Only 1% of textiles are recycled.
We discussed the EU’s strategy to make the textile sector more sustainable and what individuals can do to help the planet with Sunčana Glavak, a Croatian Member of the European Parliament who is also part of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI).
"The last thing we think about is textile pollution. Sustainable fashion is something we need to be mindful of when, for example, we walk into a shop. Be honest—how much have you spent on clothing, how many T-shirts, trousers, or blazers have you bought in 2024? Once you reflect on that, I’ll tell you that textile consumption in the EU is the fourth-largest contributor to environmental impact and climate change. Textile products are currently the third-largest consumer of water and land, and the fifth in terms of raw material use and greenhouse gas emissions."
How is the EU fighting fast fashion?
If we want to reduce waste and pollution from the textile industry, we must turn to sustainable fashion.
That’s why the European Union has adopted the Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles, aiming to make the sector as green as possible. The goal is to introduce changes not only within the industry but also among consumers.
This means that all textile products will have to be more durable, recyclable, or suitable for repair.
"The global textile industry currently generates 92 million tonnes of waste each year. Every European buys 26 kg of clothing annually and throws away around 12 kg. Across the EU, 5 million tonnes of clothing are discarded every year. When it comes to waste, 85% of that textile ends up in landfill, and around 35% of microplastics are found in synthetic textiles. In other words, all the synthetic fabrics we wear eventually end up in the environment. We are producing more clothing and textiles than ever before, and demand has also risen—by 40% in the EU alone over the past few decades."
At the same time, we wear our clothes an average of just 7-8 times. Of course, quality is also an issue. So, the next time you open your wardrobe, see if you can put together an outfit with what you already have. Only 1% of textile products are recycled, which is why the key provisions of the Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textile Products are so important. Through this initiative, the European Parliament aims to introduce stricter measures to combat the excessive production and consumption of textiles, Glavak explained to EUpravo Zato.
She also reminded that last year the Right to Repair regulation was introduced, requiring manufacturers to repair electrical devices even after their warranty expires.
"We now want to extend this to textiles, so we can reuse more items. Clothes and footwear should be produced in a way that is sustainable, circular, and socially fair. We have called on the Commission and EU member states to put an end to so-called fast fashion and help consumers make ethical and sustainable choices," she added.
Studies show that consumers agree on the importance of brands providing reliable information about the environmental impact of their products. However, according to Glavak, we still need to pay attention to labels.
"Many consumers are willing to change their shopping habits, but only if they have access to trustworthy labels. Some companies market their products as environmentally friendly, even when they are not. That’s why we need to read between the lines," said the MEP.
Can we reset ourselves and our wardrobes?
"To raise awareness about sustainable fashion, the 'Reset the Trends' campaign was launched in 2023. And even though we are now in 2025, I invite you to reset the trends, to step into your wardrobes, confront yourselves, look at what you’ve worn, think about how much you haven’t, and consider how fast fashion affects our environment. So, let’s not just follow trends - let’s be innovative and show that we have style. Having style doesn’t mean chasing new trends, shopping every week, and filling up our closets.
Today’s younger generation is much more aware of the world around them. They are not as obsessed with trends and understand how they can help the environment. That’s why we shouldn’t leave an unnecessary ecological footprint in the fashion industry, but we also shouldn’t ignore it - after all, fashion contributes to our GDP. While the industry employs brilliant creatives, we must remain responsible,"* concluded our interviewee.
What can we do?
If we want to change the way we shop for clothes and footwear, we can follow a few practical steps:
- Buy less, but better quality - Instead of stockpiling cheap clothes that quickly wear out, we can invest in high-quality pieces that will last for years. Neutral colours that mix and match easily are recommended.
- Choose sustainable materials - By checking labels, we can see if natural and recycled materials are used, such as organic cotton, linen, hemp, or recycled polyester. This type of polyester is made from plastic bottles, while Tencel, derived from wood pulp, is biodegradable.
- Shop second-hand or vintage
- Repair clothes instead of discarding them
- Swap, donate, or recycle clothing - In addition to donating clothes to those in need, clothing and footwear swaps exist in cities across Serbia. Some brands also accept old clothes for recycling.
- Wash clothes in an eco-friendly way - Experts recommend washing clothes at lower temperatures (30 degrees instead of 60) and reducing the use of tumble dryers. Additionally, eco-friendly detergents can be a good alternative.
- The 30 Wears Rule - If we are unsure whether to buy a piece of clothing, we should simply ask ourselves whether we will wear it at least 30 times. If the answer is no, it’s best to skip the purchase.
New Rules for Textile Waste Disposal – Responsibility on the Manufacturer
The European Council Presidency and the European Parliament have reached a provisional agreement on revising the Waste Directive, particularly concerning food and textiles.
New rules establish extended producer responsibility for textile manufacturers and fashion brands, meaning they will be accountable for their waste and required to pay a fee to fund waste collection and processing.
The amount of the fee will depend on how circular and sustainable their product design is.
Lawmakers have agreed that excessive textile waste production and the practices of ultra-fast and fast fashion must be addressed to prevent textiles from being discarded before reaching their full lifespan.
All companies, including smaller businesses, will have access to the necessary resources and infrastructure to manage textile waste properly.
To reduce administrative burdens, micro-enterprises will have an additional year to comply with the new obligations (a total of 3.5 years from the date the new rules take effect).