The Circular Economy Show Podcast Circular Snapshots: EU policy breakthrough
Sep 23, 2025
This quick roundup highlights a major EU policy breakthrough on textile recycling, pushing brands to contribute to sustainable practices. Retail is revolutionizing with the rise of resale and second-hand shopping, enhancing consumer habits. In the UK, there's a campaign to abolish VAT on repairs, aiming to reduce e-waste and support jobs. The urgency around critical minerals is emphasized, calling for circular strategies amid geopolitical tensions. Lastly, updates from the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations show global efforts toward improved recycling and reuse.
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EU Forces Fashion Brands To Pay For Waste
- The EU has adopted Extended Producer Responsibility for textiles that makes brands fund collection, sorting, reuse and recycling.
- The rule ties fees to product design, creating incentives for durability, repairability and recyclability.
Secondhand Retail Is Becoming Aspirational
- Sweden's Retuner Mall shows second-hand retail can be stylish, community-driven and convenient rather than a compromise.
- Vinted's profitability and mainstream retailers' resale programs illustrate growing customer appetite and business momentum.
Make Resale Financially Clear
- Set clear financial goals when launching resale programs so they deliver environmental and economic value.
- Measure benefits like customer loyalty, new revenue streams or brand differentiation to justify resale investments.