Europe

A Commission review of nine Horizon-funded projects, several involving adidas and H&M, finds that recycling technology has outpaced the collection and sorting systems needed to make textile circularity work.

Backed by Denmark's environmental protection agency, the CIRCUIT project pairs a low-temperature molten-salt recovery method with component reuse and design changes spanning the whole circuit board value chain.

Zero Waste Europe report finds incinerator bottom ash contains PFAS, heavy metals and microplastics that leach into soil and water, yet is already widely used in European construction.

Fashion for Good study of 8,280 garments across four EU countries finds 78 per cent are physically fit for reuse but fashion trends and brand identity set the price.

More than 40 organisations call on the European Commission to apply the precautionary principle to incinerator bottom ash in the forthcoming Circular Economy Act.

Roadmap identifies eight intervention areas to close collection gaps and build textile-to-textile recycling capacity of 2.7 million tonnes by 2035, with two programmes already underway.

Epoch Biodesign's $50m-backed demonstration plant will process hundreds of tonnes of post-consumer nylon 6,6 a year, from airbag fabric to activewear.

Analysis by Equanimator for Zero Waste Europe concludes that regulatory barriers, landfill bans and long-term contracts will prevent waste diversion from incinerators to landfill sites.

Fashion for Good's Project FAE will design regional sorting and pre-processing hubs to supply textile-to-textile recyclers that currently depend on cleaner post-industrial waste.

Four specialist conferences and exhibitions return to Messe Frankfurt on 17-18 June 2026

Environmental network outlines dual-budget EPR model and interim circularity fund ahead of EU Circular Economy Act.

Eight European associations call for transition period and repeal of two-day advance notice requirement

Study argues shifting responsibility from municipalities would address collection shortfall and support 2030 targets