Effectiveness of legal regulation of textile waste management in the context of the circular economy

Abstract

The article examines the legal regulation of textile waste management in the European Union and Lithuania, emphasizing its significance in the context of environmental protection, climate change mitigation, and the implementation of circular economy objectives. It discusses how the Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC and its amendments, the European Green Deal, the Circular Economy Action Plan, and the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles establish the foundation for the transformation of the textile sector, including the expansion of separate textile waste collection, the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), the strengthening of ecodesign requirements, the enhancement of market transparency, and the control of hazardous chemicals. The study analyses the instruments promoting waste prevention, reuse, recycling, and the development of durable products, as well as evaluates the main implementation challenges, such as infrastructure disparities, limited recycling capacities, the alignment of economic incentives, and administrative burden. The Lithuanian case is examined as a transitional model in which separate textile waste collection will be introduced in 2025, while the application of the Extended Producer Responsibility principle is planned for a later stage. The research concludes that legal regulation constitutes a necessary condition for systemic transformation; however, its effectiveness depends on institutional coordination, the design of financial instruments, technological advancement, and changes in consumer behaviour. 

Article in Lithuanian