Estonia Plans Stricter Rules to Reduce Textile and Food Waste
The Estonian government has prepared amendments to the Waste Act introducing extended producer responsibility for textiles and food, requiring producers to finance collection, recycling and waste reduction.
Estonia's Ministry of Climate has sent for approval a draft amendment to the Waste Act, aimed at reducing food waste and developing textile recycling through an extended producer responsibility system.
Minister of Infrastructure Kuldar Leis (Reform Party) stated that clothing and food production have a significant environmental impact, and a large share of resources is lost because usable goods are thrown away. Estonia generates approximately 18,000 tons of textile waste annually. "Unfortunately, textile waste volumes – especially due to fast fashion – are growing, and today's systems for separate collection and recycling are insufficient. Producers must take greater responsibility for the life cycle of their products," Leis said.
By 2028, Estonia plans to introduce extended producer responsibility for textiles. Companies placing textiles, textile products or footwear on the market for the first time will be required to finance subsequent collection and recycling. The obligation will also apply to e-commerce companies operating in the EU, regardless of their country of registration. Under the ministry's plan, producers will fulfill their obligations through special organizations that will create a nationwide textile waste collection network. For the public, the system should be free. Similar mechanisms already exist in the EU for electronics, batteries and tires. Estonian officials note that in several countries – including Latvia, the Netherlands and France – the system has proven effective: recycling costs amount to only a few cents per item and do not fall on taxpayers.
The draft law also sets specific targets for reducing food waste compared to the average levels of 2021–2023. During that period, Estonia generated around 180,000 tons of food waste annually. By 2030, the goal is to reduce the amount to approximately 155,000 tons, including cutting waste in retail, catering and households to roughly 85,000 tons, and in the food industry to 31,000 tons. Leis said many companies already implement measures to reduce food loss, but this must become standard practice across the sector, as it also helps reduce business costs. Under the draft law, large retail, wholesale and manufacturing companies will be required to measure the amount of food waste they generate and develop plans to reduce it. They must also expand food donation and redistribution – companies will be required to cooperate with at least one food redistribution organization. The amendments bring Estonian legislation in line with the EU's updated Waste Framework Directive.
