Textiles recycling a priority for 2026
The Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) advocates for global trade of used textiles, while WRAP calls for UK accountability.
With emerging regulations such as the Textiles Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes in the EU, BIR is calling for the realities of international reuse and recycling markets to be fully reflected in these policies.
The organisation is increasing its engagement in global and multilateral textile policy discussions.
Bianca Mannini, Trade & Environment Policy Officer at BIR, explains they have submitted detailed, evidence-based input to the UN Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Global Guideline for Used Textiles online consultation and the Basel Convention Secretariat consultation on used textiles and textile wastes.
These addressed concerns around trade impacts, regulatory clarity and the risk of unintended consequences for reuse and recycling markets if policies are designed without sufficient understanding of global textile flows.
The team has also engaged further with UNEP and other stakeholders to exchange views on the practical realities, economic value and environmental benefits of global used-clothing markets.
Textile circularity, trade and regulatory alignment are expected to remain high on the international policy agenda for 2026, and BIR says it will stay actively involved ‘at every level’.
Meanwhile, UK NGO WRAP has released an EPR Blueprint Report for proposed measures to hold producers of textiles accountable for their end of life.
WRAP captures cross-sectoral perspectives from the industry on how a UK Textiles EPR scheme should be designed and implemented, highlighting key recommendations from stakeholders.
The UK’s used textiles sector is under severe strain, with rising volumes of low-quality textiles flooding the market, but insufficient domestic infrastructure to manage them.
Research from WRAP estimates this could lead to annual costs for local authorities rising from £73mln to £137mln, and reaching £200mln by 2035, not accounting for the planned extension of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) to the waste sector in 2028.
WRAP believes these costs could be passed on to the public through higher council taxes, while charities could face income losses as unsellable donations increase and disposal costs rise.
Textiles EPR schemes are being introduced through the EU Waste Framework Directive, supported by stakeholders across the value chain, to help strengthen end-of-use management, incentivise improved product design and drive circular innovations by placing financial and disposal responsibility on producers.
