The European Union has approved a landmark law aimed at reducing food waste and tackling the environmental footprint of fast fashion across the 27-nation bloc. Lawmakers gave their final approval on Tuesday, setting the stage for sweeping changes in how Europe consumes, discards, and recycles food and textiles.
According to the European Commission, EU countries collectively generate around 60 million tonnes of food waste each year, which amounts to an average of 130 kilograms per person. This not only represents a major environmental challenge but also highlights inefficiencies in the food supply chain. By cutting waste, Brussels hopes to conserve the enormous quantities of water, energy, and fertilisers used in producing, processing, and transporting food that ultimately ends up in landfills.
The law also places fast fashion under scrutiny, addressing the growing problem of textile waste. Europeans discard approximately 15 kilograms of textiles per person annually, much of which ends up incinerated or dumped rather than recycled. The legislation is designed to pressure both producers and consumers to move towards more sustainable practices, including recycling and reuse of clothing materials.
The environmental stakes are high. EU data shows that producing a single cotton T-shirt requires 2,700 litres of fresh water—the equivalent of what an average person drinks in two and a half years. By curbing fast fashion waste, lawmakers hope to reduce the sector’s immense carbon and water footprint while encouraging longer-lasting clothing design and sustainable consumption habits.
The law is part of the EU’s broader Green Deal, which seeks to make Europe climate-neutral by 2050. Officials say reducing food and textile waste is a crucial step toward cutting greenhouse gas emissions and protecting natural resources, while also fostering innovation in circular economy solutions.
Critics of the fast fashion industry have long argued that low-cost, short-lived clothing fuels overproduction and unsustainable consumption. With the new law, the EU intends to shift responsibility onto manufacturers and retailers, requiring them to design more durable products and support recycling initiatives.
By passing this legislation, EU lawmakers are signaling a stronger commitment to sustainable living, aiming not only to change consumer behavior but also to reshape industries. The coming years will test how effectively these measures can reduce waste and transform Europe’s relationship with food and fashion.
