Wallonia | Support measures for used textile collection and sorting operators

Facing a structural crisis in the collection, reuse, and recycling of used textiles, Wallonia has introduced support measures to stabilise the sector, boost local and regional reuse, and prepare for a sustainable transition. The obligation for selective textile collection, effective January 2025, comes at a time of rising volumes driven by fast fashion and declining demand for second-hand clothing. Social economy operators face mounting logistical costs, low recycling market prices, and a 10.75% average increase in collected volumes between 2023–2024, putting over 500 jobs at risk. 

To address this, the Walloon government has adopted several measures: a EUR 250 000 grant for Terre association to expand storage, a EUR 151/tonne compensation for sorted textiles on top of the existing EUR 400/tonne for reused textiles, incineration tax exemptions for ultimate waste from social economy operators, the phased implementation of an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme by 2028, and a public awareness campaign to improve sorting practices. These steps aim to relieve pressure on operators and avoid shifting collection costs (estimated at EUR 7.2 million) to intermunicipal waste management services. 

Source: www.wallonie.be (in French)