France Fast Fashion Bill Targets Waste, Aims to Put Consumers On the Spot

PARIS, March 15 (Reuters) – France’s parliament passed a landmark bill on Tuesday aimed at slashing waste from the fast fashion industry by making it illegal to destroy unsold clothes and compelling brands to recycle. The law is part of President Emmanuel Macron’s strategy to make France a global leader in the transition to a greener, more sustainable economy. The bill, which still needs to be signed into law by Macron, will force brands with annual revenues above 150 million euros ($162.83 million) to reduce their environmental footprints, limit their use of plastic packaging and contribute to the creation of textile recycling facilities. It will also ban the destruction of unsold clothes, a practice that has been widely criticized as wasteful and environmentally damaging. Instead, brands will be required to donate unsold items to charities or recycle them. Consumers will also be targeted by the new law, which will require them to pay for plastic bags at checkout and make them responsible for sorting and recycling their own waste. The measures are designed to encourage consumers to think twice about their purchases and to reduce the amount of waste they produce. The fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world, generating 92 million tonnes of textile waste each year, according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The production of synthetic textiles also releases large amounts of greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change. France’s new law is one of the most ambitious attempts yet to tackle the environmental impact of the fashion industry. It is expected to serve as a model for other countries looking to reduce waste and promote sustainability in the sector. Environmentalists have welcomed the new law, but some industry experts have expressed concerns that it could lead to job losses and higher prices for consumers. The French government has pledged to provide financial support to businesses affected by the new law and to work with the industry to find innovative ways to reduce waste and promote sustainability. The law is expected to come into force in 2023. ($1 = 0.9218 euros) (Reporting by Michel Rose; Editing by Richard Lough and Nick Macfie).