Consumption of clothing, footwear, other textiles in the EU reaches new record high

Europeans are buying and discarding more clothing, footwear and other textiles than ever before, which as a result, is putting more pressure on our climate and environment, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing released today. The updated consumption data highlights the need for policymakers, industry and consumers to play their role in helping Europe shift away from the fast-fashion trend, to produce better, longer lasting quality textiles which are designed to last long, and can be reused, repaired and recycled.

The average EU citizen bought 19 kilograms (kg) of clothing, footwear and household textiles in 2022 — up from 17 kg in 2019, which is enough to fill a large suitcase per person each year according to the EEA briefing ‘Circularity of the EU textiles value chain in numbers’. The assessment analyses the latest data available on the circularity of the EU’s textile value chain.

The impact of our current production and consumption of textiles system continues to cause high pressures on our environment and climate, including through material use, water and land use, greenhouse gas emissions, chemical and microplastics.

Citește mai mult