Founded by Circ, Circulose, RE&UP and Syre, the alliance is strategically positioning itself with the objective of representing the recycling sector in policy-related discussions such as the EU policy framework.
This initiative comes at a pivotal moment for the textile industry as it seeks to integrate more deeply with Europe’s circular economy ambitions.
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T2T Alliance aims to ensure that recyclers have a significant role in shaping policies that will foster a robust and sustainable future for the textile sector.
Leveraging the specialised knowledge of its members, the T2T Alliance intends to influence legislative developments to benefit the industry’s long-term viability.
Syre CEO Dennis Nobelius says: “The textile waste crisis is worsening in Europe and globally, with recycled textiles currently accounting for less than 1% of the market. Most end-of-life textiles are still sent to landfills or incinerated. We are at a pivotal moment in the textile industry, and we believe that EU policymakers and stakeholders can play a crucial role in accelerating circularity and establishing textile-to-textile recycling as the norm.”
The alliance is backed by 2B Policy, a consultancy firm specialising in regulatory strategy and navigation.
The alliance points out that by 2028, the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) is expected to enforce eco-design standards that will significantly increase the use of recycled textile fibres. A key aspect of the Ecodesign framework is a ban on the destruction of unsold textiles and footwear.
The regulation entered into force on 18 July 2024 replacing the Ecodesign Directive 2009/125/EC and is said to be essential for achieving the objectives of the 2020 Circular Economy Action Plan.
In the first half of this year, the European Commission (EC) is expected to implement the inaugural working plan for the ESPR, delineating the product categories that will receive precedence in the subsequent years.
The formulation of product regulations will commence thereafter, using a comprehensive approach that encompasses strategic planning, thorough evaluations of potential impacts, and consistent engagement with stakeholders through a specialised Ecodesign Forum.
The need for T2T recyclers’ involvement
The T2T Alliance notes that the ongoing policy debates related to ESPR are poised to negatively impact the expansion of textile-to-textile recycling entities.
It further adds that their participation has been minimal in the conversations for shaping well-informed policies.
The T2T Alliance says it aims to bridge this gap by equipping policymakers with knowledge about the practical consequences of sustainability regulations, promoting accountability, and advocating for the integration of textile circularity as a fundamental aspect of EU policymaking.
As part of this prioritisation exercise, the EC’s technical body invited stakeholder feedback on its latest report in shaping the eco-design requirements for textile apparel.
The T2T Alliance explains it provided feedback on the latest draft report by:
- Advocating for the inclusion of T2T recycled content and recyclability as fundamental elements in the ESPR eco-design standards for textiles
- Endorsing a closed-loop recycling system that incorporates post-industrial, pre-consumer and post-consumer waste
- Addressing misconceptions within the report, such as disproving the claim that allowing post-industrial waste to count toward recycled content targets would encourage overproduction
- Calling for a variety of verification methods to ensure accurate tracking of recycled materials.
Circ CEO Peter Majeranowski notes: “We commend the EU for taking bold steps toward a circular future, but the current proposals fail to fully account for the practical realities faced by advanced textile recyclers.
“We can recycle challenging materials, such as polycotton blends, but we need legislation that is informed and supportive of these capabilities. That’s why we’ve come together under the T2T Alliance – to ensure that our collective expertise is harnessed to craft legislation that accelerates circularity rather than creating unnecessary hurdles.”
