Spain Moves Closer to Making Fashion Pay for Its Waste

Under extended producer responsibility (EPR), brands fund the collection and recycling of the products they sell, instead of leaving the cost to councils and taxpayers. Spain has drafted its own EPR law for clothing and footwear, following France and the Netherlands.

What it means:

• Brands selling clothes and shoes in Spain will have to register and join a collective recycling scheme
• They will pay for collecting, sorting, reusing and recycling old textiles
• Online sellers and brands based outside Spain are included; small businesses get more time
• Spain is acting on an EU rule that requires every member state to set up a similar system

Every garment you buy will one day need a second life. Pick natural fibres and sturdy craftsmanship, as they are easier to repair, reuse and return to the earth.