An industry-wide coalition led by the UK Textile Pact has reiterated its call for a mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for textiles, setting out how such a framework could be introduced across the UK.
The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), working with the Pact, has published a new ten-point blueprint outlining proposals for the design and delivery of a UK Textiles EPR scheme.
The document draws on engagement with stakeholders across the textiles value chain and reflects what the Pact described as strong and consistent support from industry for a compulsory, collaboratively designed system.
Jordan Girling, Head of EPR at WRAP, said: “The UK’s textiles value chain is truly committed to co-designing a mandatory UK Textiles EPR scheme.”
The renewed call comes as pressures on the UK’s used textiles system continue to intensify, driven by higher disposal costs, falling garment quality and increasing volumes of unwanted clothing entering the waste stream.
Girling added: “Urgent action is the only way to prevent charities, local authorities and consumers bearing the cost of dealing with the nation’s unwanted textiles.
“The cost of inaction is greater than the cost of establishing a UK EPR scheme.”
Ten-Point Framework For Textiles EPR
The Blueprint sets out ten key principles that the UK Textile Pact believes should underpin a mandatory Textiles EPR scheme, including:
- Publish legislation this parliament to establish a mandatory UK Textiles EPR scheme
- Set up an industry-led scheme run by a single, non-profit Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO), with a steering committee representing the whole value chain
- Include all UK nations in the scheme
- Consider a phased approach to products included within the scope of EPR, with clear timelines for when different textile items are included
- Align the definition of ‘producers’ with the EU and existing UK producer responsibility schemes for other problematic waste streams
- Ensure EPR funding is ringfenced for direct reinvestment into the scheme’s success, and charge EPR fees per item
- Make fees eco-modulated to reward sustainable design and materials
- Prioritise reuse over recycling to maximise environmental benefits
- After the successful implementation of a UK Textiles EPR scheme that generates funding for UK processing infrastructure, the industry-led PRO could conduct further exploratory work to consider a ‘plug-in’ to the EPR scheme that ‘producers’ can engage in voluntarily to further support the Global South with managing used textiles from the UK sustainably
- The PRO should play an active role in EPR scheme enforcement to ensure a fair playing field for producers and to maximise the impact of the scheme
The recommendations build on a cross-sector position statement published by the Pact in summer 2025, ahead of the Government’s forthcoming Circular Economy Growth Plan, which identifies textiles as a priority sector.
Adam Mansell, CEO at UKFT, added: “Any future framework must support circular economy objectives while remaining practical and workable for producers.”
Pressure Mounting On Used Textiles Sector
The renewed push for EPR comes amid growing concern over the condition of the UK’s secondary textiles market.
WRAP estimates that almost half of all used textiles – around 49% – are currently disposed of by the public, as charities and local authorities struggle to manage increasing volumes and poorer-quality donations.
WRAP has warned that, without policy intervention, the costs associated with managing unwanted textiles will continue to be borne by councils, charities and householders.
