What role can policy play to foster the uptake of the Fibersort technology?

May was an exciting month to discuss policy for the textiles end-of-use value chain. The Fibersort project was part of two events aimed at understanding the role and potential of policymakers to foster a circular textiles value chain. Read more about the discussions here. 

From May 6-8, the European Commission's Eco-Innovation Forum took place in Vienna, Austria. The forum developed a set of practical recommendations on priority issues and measures that the Commission as well as EU countries should address for facilitating circularity in the textiles sector. These will be included in a comprehensive conference report that will be released shortly. Throughout this Forum, we leaded a break out session on the Fibersort technology, as well as delivering a keynote speech on the final day of the event, participating on the closing panel together with EC, EURATEX and Ecopreneur.

This was a great opportunity to present to Fibersort to an audience consisting of policy makers and industry representatives through the break out session, keynote speech and panel discussion. Besides, the event was a valuable information source and networking opportunity for the work on deliverable LT 5.2 (policy recommendations). Travel and accommodation costs for this event where covered by its organiser - the European Commission.

The Forum brought together over 100 attendees, both policy makers and industry representatives, mainly from European countries. The recorded streaming of the event is available through the following link. Hilde Van Duijn, Fibersort Project Manager's keynote speech can be found from 10:00:00 onwards. 

Two weeks later, the fashion industry gathered at the Copenhagen Fashion Summit to discuss the present and future of sustainability of the industry. The Copenhagen Fashion Summit has established itself as the world's leading business event on sustainability in fashion. This year's edition hosted a side-event that was attended by our team: the Policy Roundtable leading to the publication of the following manifesto. This roundtable was hosted by the Global Fashion Agenda (GFA), the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) and FESI, as well as attendees of the Summit (collectors, sorter, brands, policymakers).  

This side-event was key towards uniting decision makers and experts from relevant sector players. While actively contributing to the manifesto that will inform policy recommendations from the industry towards the European Commission, we have also connected to a multitude of brands and retailers interested in staying informed on the Fibersort. 

Throughout the next months, within the Fibersort consortium of partners we will be shaping and releasing a document including policy recommendations towards the successful uptake of the Fibersort technology and recycled textiles.