The three-month project will aim to gather data to help develop an EPR fee system for the UK.
UKFT has said that it believes an effective EPR policy is “tailored to local contexts and industry-specific targets” and that therefore stakeholder collaboration is essential.
Previously, UKFT collaborated with QSA Partners to explore the implications of EPR fees for the UK apparel and textile industry. Building on this work, it has said that it aims to engage the wider industry through this competition and prepare for any implementation of an EPR approach.
Application criteria for textile EPR competition
Participating businesses are required to meet the following criteria:
- Must be an SME based in the UK and actively placing products in the UK market
- Must operate within the apparel or textiles industry (including home textiles)
- Must produce and/or sell 20,000 – 30,000 units on the UK market within a year
If selected, the SMEs will need to provide access to products and sales data for in-depth analysis. A Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) will be signed between the two organisations.
SMEs that meet the application criteria can apply here.
Details of a textile EPR
EPR shifts the responsibility and cost of collection, sorting and recycling products from local authorities to producers.
This usually involves a fee on each item placed on the market to cover its future collection and recycling. There is also evidence that the policy incentivises better product design.
An EPR for packaging is due to be implemented in the UK in the near future.
Find out more at the EPR Conference on 14 November in London.
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