Textile EPR in Italy and Europe: harmonization of systems and new challenges for the supply chain

The European Directive 2018/851, implemented in Italy by Legislative Decree 116, required to all Member States to implement separate collection of urban textile waste (EER 20.01.10 clothing, footwear, and accessories and 20.01.11 textile products such as sheets, curtains, towels, etc.) by 1 January 2025. This collection obligation, that in Italy in in force from 1 January 2022, triggered a profound change in the management of this type of waste, that come from a production sector characterized by a strong environmental impact. The recent European Directive 2025/1892 makes mandatory for all Member States to establish EPR (extended producer responsibility) schemes for this category of municipal waste by the first half of 2027.
In this event, we will address the issues of exports of used textile, competition between Italian and foreign sorters, the added value and role of Italy's historic textile districts and the characteristics of the emerging Italian EPR system compared with EPR systems operating in countries that have already implemented them. We will examine their characteristics, assess their positive effects, identify any potential critical issues, and, above all, verify the level of harmonization, an essential element for both companies placing textiles on the market and those operating in the management and valorization of municipal textile waste.

Session Chair

Elisabetta Perrotta, ASSOAMBIENTE (National Association of Environmental Services Companies and Circular Economy)

Program

Introduction by the Chair

Speakers:

Patty L’Abbate, Environment Committee, Italian Chamber of Deputies

Companies competitors in Italian sorting system 
Joseph Valletti, ARIU 

European reuse textiles in the “second hand” global market
Karina Bolin, UNIRAU

The European manufacturing sector and opportunities for textile EPR
Mauro Scalia, EURATEX

How the Textile EPR System Is Being Developed in Spain
David Allo, TEX FOR

The Italian manufacturing system and the opportunities for textile EPR 
Mauro Chezzi, Retex green

European EPR systems and the need for harmonization
Luca Campadello, General Director Erion Textiles 

European Textile EPR: From the Directive to the Harmonisation of National Systems
Vincenzo Gente, DG ENV

Q&A

Conclusions
Laura D’Aprile, Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (TBC)