🔸Ban on destroying unsold clothing in the European Union

From now on, large companies in the European Union will no longer be allowed to destroy unsold clothing and shoes. The relevant EU regulations have already entered into force and are expected to require the companies covered by this law to, instead of throwing away goods, either resell them or donate them.

In some cases, destroying and disposing of goods—rather than keeping them, preparing them for a clearance sale, or offering them again for sale—can be cheaper.

However, exceptions have also been provided. Cases such as goods being dangerous, damaged, or contaminated—or when it is not possible to reuse them or prepare them for resale—are among these exceptions.

According to the German Chamber of Commerce, this ban can bring benefits for consumers. According to Stephan Genth, the executive director of the chamber, the availability of discounted goods, for example through surplus retail centers, marketplaces for remaining goods, or second-hand stores, may increase.