The clothes no one wears cost everyone

Sanna Due, who is a circular economy and waste expert from the European Environment Agency (EEA), explained that the consumers aren’t the only ones responsible for waste. 

"According to our recent assessment briefing - around 4-9% of all textile products put on the European market are destroyed without ever being used for their intended purpose," Due says.

She also explains that unsold textiles are estimated to be responsible for up to 5,6 million tons of CO2-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions.

Rose, who studies in Copenhagen, is shocked by the number:

"It's truly disgusting to see the amount of clothes throwed. It's many people that can use it, and I feel like we should be more aware of our own behavior," she says.

Due and her colleagues at the EEA have been researching methods to curb textile waste generation. One of those methods stems from directly influencing textile companies: circular business models. According to Due, these would increase the value and lifespan of textiles. However, it requires time to build up the necessary skills, policy, and consumer behaviors. 

This story is for any audience in Europe and could be published by NOS, the Dutch national public broadcaster.