Ireland currently discards around 53 kilograms of textiles per person annually, and government, businesses, and consumers need to work together to address this growing waste issue, a new report by EY has said.
EY’s report, Clothes that cost the earth: Ireland’s textile waste problem, states that the problem of textile waste is driven by overconsumption, poor recycling infrastructure, and a fashion industry built on low-cost, short-life garments.
Globally, the textile sector contributes around 10% of greenhouse gas emissions –more than the combined emissions of aviation and shipping – while in Ireland, most discarded clothing ends up in landfills or incineration, with just over a third (35%) being collected through charity shops and clothing banks. However, these are not part of Ireland’s national waste management strategy.
As EY noted, Ireland currently has enough clothing to provide for the next six generations.
Read more: Less than a third of Irish consumers see a link between purchasing textiles and climate change
Clothing conundrum
“Our recent Future Consumer Index report highlights the need to change how we shop and think about clothes,” commented Colette Devey, risk consulting partner, EY Ireland chief risk officer, Consumer Products and Retail lead. “Only 39% of Irish consumers indicated that they would choose sustainability over price when purchasing clothing and footwear.
“By comparison, 53% of us routinely opt for more sustainable fresh food products. Through choosing better quality items, sourcing second hand clothing and supporting sustainable practices e.g. repairing garments, we can all help reduce waste and protect the environment for future generations.”
Regulation on the way
Forthcoming regulation may force the business community’s hand. The EU’s updated Waste Framework Directive mandates separate textile collection, with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), soon requiring fashion companies to manage their post-consumer waste.
Future legislation, such as the Circular Economy Act (coming in 2026) and the Eco-design for Sustainable Product Regulation (due in 2028), are set to introduce stricter sustainability criteria, including bans on destroying unsold clothing and mandatory digital product passports for textiles.
“New laws on textile waste can make a big difference,” added Derarca Dennis, partner and lead for Sustainability Services at EY. “By holding companies responsible for what they produce, we can encourage better practices that protect our environment and reduce waste.”
Solving the issue will require coordinated action, EY added, calling on the Irish government to incentivise sustainable production and restrict harmful practices, while consumers can reduce their impact by repairing clothes, shopping second-hand, and buying less overall. For businesses, investment in renewable materials is a necessary step, as is designing garments for longevity, reuse, and recyclability.
‘Creating a circular economy is about collective progress,’ EY added. ‘When everyone takes small, conscious steps, the impact becomes transformational. It isn’t too late to turn things around – through collaboration between government, business and consumers, we can eliminate waste while still growing economies.’ Read more here.
