The European Parliament has adopted new measures under the Waste Framework Directive (WFD) targeting food and textile waste. While these measures represent progress, Zero Waste Europe (ZWE) has warned they fall short of what is needed, calling them “too little, too late.”
Although the update has potential to boost circularity in the EU, the Parliament’s earlier, stronger proposals were watered down after the recent political shift, and Member States blocked more ambitious provisions during negotiations.
For food waste, the WFD sets 2030 reduction targets:
30% per capita reduction for retail, restaurants, food services, and households.
Only 10% reduction for manufacturing and processing.
ZWE criticized the imbalance, stressing that the sector has vast untapped potential and that poor food waste management remains a major methane emitter—the second most powerful greenhouse gas.
Theresa Mörsen, Waste and Resources Policy Manager at ZWE, said:
“In 2015, the EU and Member States committed to halving food waste by 2030 under the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Today’s revision lacks binding targets and misses the chance to align fully with EU climate objectives. Binding EU-wide targets would ensure fairness, give certainty to businesses, and support circular solutions. This outcome is a missed opportunity.”
On textiles, Member States must now establish Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes by mid-2028. While this marks a milestone in producer accountability, the 30-month transition delay undermines urgency. Crucially, the new law lacks binding targets for textile collection, reuse, and recycling, raising fears that most discarded textiles will continue being incinerated in the short term.
Andrea Veselá, Textiles Officer at ZWE, emphasized:
“Local municipalities and sorters are already under strain from the fast fashion surge. Without proper EPR funding, they cannot meet separate collection requirements. EU countries must swiftly introduce EPR schemes that prioritize prevention, fair financing, and local reuse.”
ZWE urged Member States to adopt best practices from France and the Netherlands, and to include eco-modulated fees that reflect producer behavior. Mörsen added that fast fashion overproduction must remain central to the debate.
