Ambitious binding EU targets to reduce food waste and encourage the circularity of textiles

In February 2025, the Council and European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on a proposal for a targeted revision of the Waste Framework Directive (Directive 2008/98/EC), with the aim of significantly reducing food and textile waste in the EU.

Food waste reduction targets

The provisional agreement, originally proposed in July 2023, would set the first-ever binding targets to be established at EU level to address 88 million tonnes of food wasted annually in the EU. Specifically, the agreement introduces the following food waste reduction targets to be met at national level by 2030: 

• 10% reduction in processing and manufacturing food waste; and
• 30% reduction per capita in food waste from retail, restaurants, food services, and households,

(compared to the average amount of food waste generated in these sectors in 2021-2023).

It is intended that the European Commission will support Member States in achieving the targets by sharing best practice and learning, financing research and providing action grants. Member States will also be encouraged to take more targeted measures regarding food donation. To this end, the provisional agreement provides for the voluntary donation of unsold food that is safe for human consumption.

Textile circularity measures

Simultaneously, and in line with the EU’s Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles, the provisional agreement establishes harmonised rules on extended producer responsibility for textile and footwear products, making producers responsible for their textile waste and requiring them to pay fees to fund textile waste collection and treatment. Member States may adapt fees paid by producers according to the length of use of textile products and their durability, the aim being to encourage producers to design more longer-lasting textile products that can be reused, repaired and recycled.

The proposed rules would also define what constitutes “waste” as opposed to “reusable” textiles, in an attempt to tackle the issue of textile waste being exported illegally to third countries.

Timing

The provisional agreement now requires endorsement by the European Council and the Parliament before becoming law. Once formally adopted, Member States will have up to 20 months to implement the provisions into national law.

Comment

The environmental and climate impacts of food and textiles waste have long been recognised, and this proposal is a significant step towards mitigating these impacts and accelerating the EU's ambition to achieving the targets of the relevant UN Sustainable Development Goal. It is envisaged that all actors in the supply chain of both sectors will need to work together to find solutions to enable them to reduce waste. The food and textile industries should therefore continue to monitor the position closely and start to factor these measures into their sustainability, product design and procurement strategies.