T2T recyclers to shape EU sustainability policies

A group of leading textile-to-textile recycling companies, Circ, Circulose, RE&UP, and Syre, has joined forces to create the T2T Alliance, a collaborative initiative focused on driving policy changes to support a circular textile economy. The alliance aims to provide a strong voice for recyclers in discussions about EU regulations and policies. The group seeks to represent the recycling sector in key policy debates, particularly within the EU framework.

Syre’s CEO, Dennis Nobelius, highlighted the urgency of the issue, stating, “The textile waste crisis is worsening in Europe and across the world. Currently, less than 1% of textiles are recycled, while most discarded fabrics end up in landfills or are burned. This is a turning point for the textile industry, and EU policymakers have a vital role in making textile-to-textile recycling a standard practice.”

The alliance emphasizes that by 2028, the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) will enforce new eco-friendly design standards, significantly increasing the use of recycled textile fibers. A key aspect of this regulation is the ban on destroying unsold textiles and footwear.

A spokesperson from the alliance explained, “We have the technology to recycle complex materials like polycotton blends, but we need supportive laws that recognize these advancements. That’s why we formed the T2T Alliance—to ensure our collective expertise helps create policies that drive circularity instead of introducing unnecessary obstacles.”