Re-Fresh Global Launches the EPR-Promise Campaign

The innovative Berlin-based start-up Re-Fresh Global provides the industry with a solution for the upcoming stringent EPR regulations (extended producer responsibility) – an impending EU regulation for extended producer responsibility – making a significant contribution to the transformation of the textile industry.

Consequences of EPR

The forthcoming EU regulation on extended producer responsibility (EPR) for textile waste obliges manufacturers to regulate the disposal, recycling, or reuse of textile products after consumer use. This policy aims to reduce textile waste and promote sustainability in the textile and fashion industry. It heralds a paradigm shift in the industry, as it is already integrated into the legal framework in some European countries, such as France or Sweden, and is set to be legally anchored in Germany by 2025. In France alone, since the implementation of the regulation, 35 million euros in “eco-fines” have already been imposed.

Under the EPR, manufacturers will also bear the costs associated with processing textile waste. The goal is to ensure that used textiles are sorted for reuse, and non-reusable textiles are prioritized for recycling. The cost pressure and sanctions for non-compliance not only create incentives for waste reduction and the promotion of circular economy in textile products but also foster the development of more sustainable products from the outset.