Since January 1, 2025, there is a new rule to know and it concerns your clothes. With a 75 euro fine at stake, here is what you must remember to avoid unpleasant surprises.
In 2018, the European Union took an ambitious step to strengthen sustainable practices within its member states. France, always at the forefront on these issues, quickly followed suit with a law that came into force in 2020. This regulation, concerning your clothing, imposes simple, but essential actions, aimed at limiting a problem that is often invisible, but fraught with serious problems. ecological consequences.
Why this decision? Every year, millions of tonnes of textiles considered unusable end up as waste. Some of it is burned, others buried in landfills. These practices not only contribute to the pollution of soil and groundwater, but also emit significant quantities of greenhouse gases. In order to reduce these impacts, the new measures encourage systematic recovery and revaluation practices. The idea? Encourage each individual to adopt simple, but crucial, reflexes to reduce waste. This is why, since January 1, 2025, throwing your clothes into household waste is prohibited and punishable by a fine of 75 euros.
How to act concretely? Faced with clothing deemed obsolete, several solutions exist. Solidarity collection points allow you to recover even damaged items. These initiatives, generally led by associations, contribute to the creation of new materials from recycled elements. For parts still in good condition, resale platforms offer an alternative that is both practical and profitable. Large retail brands, such as H&M, Kiabi or Okaïdi, offer collection services in exchange for vouchers. Finally, local recyclers transform unusable materials into reusable resources. In short, information to share!