Would you throw away brand new clothes? Retailers in Europe are now banned from destroying unsold stock

The European Union has banned fashion retailers from destroying unsold clothing. Per The Conversation (Australia), new rules require brands to find alternatives like resale and donation, and to publicly declare their unsold inventory volumes. Only damaged or unsafe items can still be destroyed. The move addresses a massive waste problem. The EU estimates four to nine percent of all new clothing sold in Europe is destroyed annually. Fast fashion has accelerated this waste. H&M released forty-four hundred styles in twenty twenty-two, Zara released sixty-eight hundred, and Shein adds up to ten thousand new designs on peak days. Even luxury brands participate—Burberry destroyed ninety million pounds worth of products over five years. The rules apply to large retailers now and will extend to medium-sized retailers by twenty thirty, making this part of a broader push for more durable, reusable, and recyclable clothing in the EU.

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