25/09/2026
Across Europe, new rules are changing how major fashion businesses handle products that never find buyers. The European Commission estimates that 4–9% of unsold textiles are destroyed before being worn, producing about 5.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, nearly matching Sweden’s 2021 total net emissions. From 19 July 2026, large companies face a ban on destroying unsold apparel, clothing accessories, and footwear, with limited exceptions. Businesses must consider selling, donating, repairing, refurbishing, remanufacturing, or reusing these items instead. The measure aims to reduce waste, protect resources, and encourage a more circular fashion system across the European Union.