Reducing the Environmental Impact of Textiles in the Netherlands
Environmental Impact of Textiles
Textile production significantly damages the environment by impacting natural resources and increasing pollution levels globally. Manufacturing textiles consumes vast amounts of land, water, and energy, and involves numerous chemicals. The industry faces a growing challenge with textile waste, because many discard millions of tons in landfills or incinerated annually. Recycling practices need improvement, as Only 1% of used clothes are recycled into new clothes.
In the Netherlands, households dispose of more than 50% of textiles in waste bins. Rising production and consumption trends, will likely increase this percentage, further straining the environment.
Netherlands Textiles Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
In response to these challenges, the Dutch government has set an ambitious goal to combat pollution and reduce textile waste. By 2050, the government aims to ensure that all textiles are either recycled or produced through sustainable practices. This will promote a more circular economy, and reduce the textile industry’s environmental impact. The Dutch government will implement this through the Textiles Extended Producer Responsibility Decree.
Objectives
The Netherlands Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Textiles Decree requires producers who sell textiles in the Dutch market to take responsibility for the reuse and recycling of their products. You are also required to organize and finance an effective collection system or join a compliance scheme.
By 2025, the aim is to achieve at least 50% reuse and recycling. This includes specific goals of 20% reuse, 10% reuse within the Netherlands, and 25% of recycling through fibre-to-fibre processes. Looking further ahead, by 2030, the targets escalate to a minimum of 75% reuse and recycling, including 25% reuse, 15% reuse within the Netherlands, and 33% of recycling through fibre-to-fibre processes.
These targets will help reduce textile waste and promote a circular economy, ensuring a more sustainable future for the textile industry.
Who is obligated
A ‘producer’ is the first entity to sell these textile products into the Dutch market. This includes manufacturers and importers based in the Netherlands as well as suppliers from outside the country. This applies whether the product is sold to another company for resale or directly to end users, such as consumers or businesses. Manufacturers and retailers outside the Netherlands must appoint an authorised representative to ensure compliance.
Which products are included?
The following newly manufactured textile products must meet the obligations:
Clothing: Consumer clothing and work clothing, including safety outfits.
Household Textiles: Table linen, bedding, and household linen like hand and tea towels.
The obligations do not apply to other textile products such as: shoes, belts, headgear, blankets, curtains, and cleaning cloths etc.
Compliance Options
As an individual ‘producer,’ you must meet the outlined obligations, including reporting, and organizing the waste management of your textile products. You can opt to fulfil theses obligations through a compliance scheme, which offers both financial and organizational advantages. RLG can assist you by facilitating registration with a compliance scheme to ensure compliance through our textile compliance service
Reporting Requirements
As an individual ‘producer,’ you are responsible for meeting the outlined obligations, including reporting, and organizing the waste management of your textile products. For the initial reports in 2023 and 2024, focus on the types and quantities of products. If producers join a compliance scheme, they will face earlier reporting deadlines, and the scheme will handle the reporting to the authority. RLG can support organisations with these reporting obligations through its textile compliance service.
RLG Services
Our comprehensive ReDress program under Reconomy. It is designed to assist businesses in navigating the complexities of textiles Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in Netherlands and globally. Our services include:
Horizon Scanning: Our international compliance team provides insights on environmental legislation to help you stay ahead, navigate the ever-changing global regulatory landscape, and mitigate risks effectively.
Data Management: Harness data to make informed decisions amidst complex legislation. We simplify compliance reporting and enhance efficiency with our top-tier data management and cutting-edge tools.
Environmental Compliance: Our global Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) operation streamlines your compliance efforts by guiding you through the entire process or supporting at crucial stages.
Contact us today for more information on how we can assist with your EPR compliance needs, and let RLG help you navigate the path to a more sustainable textile industry
