UK white paper calls for immediate EPR fees
A white paper published in collaboration with the UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT) urges the government to implement variable Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) fees immediately to drive sustainability and establish a circular economy in the UK fashion and textiles sector.
The proposed variable EPR fees would ensure that producers bear the cost of their products’ end-of-life treatment, rather than passing this burden onto communities and the environment, said the authors.
It was developed by QSA Partners, with support from UKFT, British Fashion Council, the British Retail Consortium and several brands.
The fashion and textile industry contributes approximately £62 billion to the UK economy, but non-profit WRAP estimated in 2019 that 336,000 tonnes of clothing is sent to UK landfills annually.
Adam Mansell, CEO at UKFT, said: “An EPR fee scheme based on eco modulation would level the playing field, by rewarding positive action for those designing for end of life and penalising those that don’t take their responsibility to the environment seriously. It is the one issue around sustainability that everyone in the supply chain agrees on – legislation is needed to drive progress.”
Katharine Beacham, head of sustainability in clothing and home at Marks & Spencer, said: “We are proud to be a part of the Fashion Extended Producer Responsibility Sandbox project and support steps to scale textile recycling in the UK but want to work with government so that it drives tangible change. A successful EPR scheme must incentivise good business, encourage circular design and invest in UK recycling infrastructure if we are to achieve positive change.”
