Leading textile-to-textile (T2T) recyclers—Circ, Circulose, RE&UP, and Syre—have joined forces to establish the T2T Alliance, a coalition aimed at advocating for policy changes that support a circular textile industry.
The alliance seeks to ensure recyclers play a key role in shaping policies that will advance sustainability in the textile sector. With an initial focus on the European Union’s regulatory framework, the alliance aims to influence legislation that promotes textile recycling and reduces waste.
“The textile waste crisis is worsening, with recycled textiles making up less than 1% of the market,” said Syre CEO Dennis Nobelius. “Most end-of-life textiles are still incinerated or sent to landfills. We believe EU policymakers can help accelerate circularity and make textile-to-textile recycling the norm.”
The initiative comes at a critical time as the EU implements the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which will enforce eco-design standards by 2028. A key component of this regulation is a ban on destroying unsold textiles and footwear, aligning with the EU’s 2020 Circular Economy Action Plan.
The European Commission (EC) is set to introduce its first ESPR working plan this year, prioritizing product categories for regulatory development. However, the T2T Alliance warns that ongoing policy discussions could negatively impact textile recyclers and limit their growth.
To address this, the alliance is actively engaging with policymakers, ensuring they understand the real-world implications of sustainability regulations. It has provided feedback on the EC’s draft report on eco-design standards, advocating for:
- Mandating T2T recycled content and recyclability in ESPR standards.
- Supporting a closed-loop recycling system incorporating post-industrial, pre-consumer, and post-consumer waste.
- Countering misconceptions, such as the claim that allowing post-industrial waste to count toward recycled content targets would lead to overproduction.
- Establishing multiple verification methods to track recycled materials accurately.
Circ CEO Peter Majeranowski emphasized the need for informed legislation, stating, “We commend the EU for its steps toward circularity, but the current proposals don’t fully account for the realities faced by advanced textile recyclers. We need policies that support innovation rather than create unnecessary hurdles.”
The T2T Alliance is backed by 2B Policy, a consultancy specializing in regulatory strategy, to help navigate the evolving legislative landscape.
By ensuring that recyclers have a seat at the table, the alliance aims to bridge the gap between policymakers and industry leaders, fostering a regulatory environment that enables large-scale textile recycling and a more sustainable future.
 recyclers—Circ, Circulose, RE&UP, and Syre—have joined forces to establish the T2T Alliance, a coalition){kind=link}