EU Faces Record Textile Consumption Despite New Sustainability Measures

Fast fashion continues to drive environmental challenges as the EU enforces new regulations to curb waste and promote recycling.

The European Environment Agency reports EU citizens consumed an average of 19 kilograms of textiles per capita in 2022, a record high driven by fast fashion trends.
Fast fashion's low-cost, high-turnover model, supported by apps like Shein and Zalando, remains a significant driver of consumption across income groups.
In January 2025, the EU implemented a directive requiring the separate disposal of textiles from general waste to improve recycling rates, addressing the 85% of textile waste not previously recycled.
The Ecodesign Regulation, effective since July 2024, mandates that only recyclable textile products can enter the EU market to support a circular economy.
The European Environment Agency emphasizes the urgent need for systemic changes involving policymakers, industry, and consumers to reduce environmental and social impacts of fast fashion.