What could EPR become?

A Tool for Transition

We believe that EPR has significant potential to catalyze a Justice-led Transition from a Linear Textiles Economy to a Circular Textiles Economy. To do this we call on policy makers to implement EPR programs for textiles based on three key principles.

1. Internalized Cost of Waste Management

   EPR Fees must align with eco-modulated waste management costs throughout the global reverse supply chain and must financially incentivize alternatives to linear waste practices. We call for eco-modulated fees starting at US $0.50 per newly produced garment as a floor rate for EPR programs.

2. Global Accountability

   EPR programs must align with the reality of how waste flows around the world, distributing funds to enable circular infrastructure in the Global South as well as the Global North and to account for the loss and damage already incurred by fashion’s excessive waste sent around the world to under-resourced and climate vulnerable communities.

3. Disclosures to Drive Circularity Targets

   In order to achieve ecomodulated EPR Fees, programs must require companies to disclose production volumes along every eco- modulation tranche. We call for this information to be publicly available on a per company basis and for five year reduction targets for new clothing of at least 40% over five years, balanced with the increase of reuse and remanufacture of existing materials.