Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
103. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware that that 75% of collected clothes are exported abroad and that there is an urgent need for regulations in the post-consumer textile sector; if he will urgently work to establish definitions for textile waste and enhance transparency in relation to the handling and export processes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57381/23]
View answerA report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2021 concluded that there is little reliable data on the nature and extent of post-consumer textiles in Ireland. The report is available here: www.epa.ie/publications/circular-economy/resources/nature-and-extent-of-post-consumer-textiles-in-ireland---study-report.php
To address the information and data gaps identified by the EPA, my Department is commissioning a research and data study of post-consumer textiles. The study will also examine the matter of used textiles that are exported overseas and it is expected will yield improved data relating to the volumes of used textiles exported from Ireland to other countries.
In 2022, my department established a Textiles Advisory Group which held its third meeting in November 2023 to examine the outputs of three sub-working groups on Design & Production, Retail and Consumption and Post Use. The Group will put forward recommendations to me in early 2024 on actions required across the textile value chain generally, including in relation to the post-consumer textile sector. Information on the work of the Textile Advisory Group can be found at gov.ie (www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/528f7-circular-economy/#textiles).
