21/07/2026
The EU just banned destroying unsold clothing, accessories, and footwear.
As of July 19, 2026, large companies operating in the EU can no longer send unsold stock to destruction. It's one of the first concrete measures under the ESPR regulation, and it changes how the industry has to think about inventory.
We put together a breakdown: what the law actually requires, who it applies to, and why the logistics behind it are harder than the headline suggests.
We've spent 25+ years building exactly this kind of infrastructure, sorting, grading, and moving garments at scale. It's the same capability the industry now needs to meet this regulation.