EU proposes outlawing "overconsumption" of clothing

I'm not sure where to put this but here goes. Mods feel free to move to the appropriate forum.
www.euractiv.com...

Europe is now considering outlawing "over-consumption" of clothes.

They say too much "fast fashion" is made with polyester, which is made from oil. They say much of the clothing made is manufactured in ways that harm the environment.

The fashion industry is responsible for a fifth of waste water globally, consumes more energy than shipping and aviation combined and, by 2050, is expected to account for 25% of the world’s remaining carbon budget. Cheap synthetic materials, which have increased nine-fold in the last 50 years, form the “backbone” of throwaway fashion and use around 350 million barrels of oil every year, according to the report by the Changing Markets Foundation on the dependency of fast fashion on fossil fuels.

Their solution? Passing laws to stop people from buying more clothes than the socialist governments of Europe think they really need. The major solution, outlaw "overproduction" of clothing and making clothes much more expensive so people buy less.

For the EU to reach its net zero carbon emissions and zero pollution goals, it will need to tackle the industry with concrete legislation. As part of its circular economy action plan, the EU is attempting to cut down on waste produced from the textiles industry and boost reuse. “Policymakers in the EU and beyond can play a key role in helping the fashion industry shift from this wasteful and polluting approach to a circular economy by promoting and incentivising the development of business models that keep clothes in use, and stimulating the design of high-quality, durable and recyclable clothing through ambitious minimum product criteria [i.e. making clothes VERY expensive],” said Balmond.

Since the Democratic Party has long said that US policy and law needs to be more like Europe especially environmental law, well .... The Democratic Party is fully in charge of the government and beholden to environmental groups for their votes. So I anticipate that this type of legislation is headed for the USA as soon as the first laws against over consuming clothes are passed in Europe.

I lived in Europe for 6 years and have had exchange students from Europe up until the pandemic. Every European I know says having a wardrobe we could fit in a large suitcase is average for Europeans. The students were shocked that US students didn't wear the same outfit several days in a row, as they said that was normal in Europe. I lived there and it is the norm. So by US standards the average European has very few clothes.

Who will decide how many shirts you are allowed to own and how long you must keep them before getting a new one? OR will they just put price controls on clothing with minimum price allowed for each item of clothing, high enough it is nearly unaffordable for people in the middle class or lower (that seems to be the European model)?

Is this what is coming to the USA now that liberals (rabid environmentalists) are in charge of the entire government?

Will Democrats insist that clothing manufacturers raise prices so high that the average citizen can not afford to buy more than a few items of clothing per year? (But liberals rest assured this does not affect the political elite/nor the Tech giant CEO's/nor Hollywood types/nor the rich, as is normal for liberal legislation; like the rabidly environmentalist and elite politician Kerry can still use his private jet to go wherever he wants whenever he wants because he is a liberal environmentalist.)

a reply to: The2Billies
Wouldn't there be a simple solution as to simply when you get something new you have to donate something old.

a reply to: The2Billies

First off...this is a ridiculous proposal.
Secondly, the market for edible panties in the EU should skyrocket.

originally posted by: randomthoughts12
a reply to: The2Billies
Wouldn't there be a simple solution as to simply when you get something new you have to donate something old.

Not a solution. The article, and proposed legislation, says most donated items end up being burned. They demand laws that make it impossible for the average person to purchase more than a few items a year.

Fig leaves for all i guess

Unless that will also leave a carbon implant........

a reply to: IAMTAT



that is a great idea all clothing should be edible, soo after wearing all day lets have it for supper, darn we can get in this market IAMTAT.

You can't judge how much clothes Europeans have on students wardrobes.Students are like hobos,clothes that came out the ark-bohemian even.
Myself and my immediate family have far too many clothes.My bedroom is jam packed with clothes,i could do with a spare room just for my clothes.
I also love my trainers(sneakers)and have over 50 pairs.
No doubt the U.K. will love this idea and copy the E.U. in the name of saving the planet,add a nice tax on top too.
This is one reason we wanted out of the E.U., their petty laws dictating to citizens what you can and do even when you are breaking no laws.Power hungry power trippers.

Assless chaps will soon be mandated to facilitate frequent anal swabbing for the China Virus.

a reply to: The2Billies

Not a slave to fashion myself, there are a few really good
and well cared for t-shirts in my long dresser. For the
synthetics/flashy stuff-- you may be talking about abuse of
natural resources by a small fraction of the population that
do so by almost Divine Right.
They also own people with heart attack guns and other toys.
This thread should be amusing for fallout.

Not that I'm for government making choices for people but who TF wears polyester?

originally posted by: glen200376
You can't judge how much clothes Europeans have on students wardrobes.Students are like hobos,clothes that came out the ark-bohemian even.
Myself and my immediate family have far too many clothes.My bedroom is jam packed with clothes,i could do with a spare room just for my clothes.
I also love my trainers(sneakers)and have over 50 pairs.
No doubt the U.K. will love this idea and copy the E.U. in the name of saving the planet,add a nice tax on top too.
This is one reason we wanted out of the E.U., their petty laws dictating to citizens what you can and do even when you are breaking no laws.Power hungry power trippers.

I lived in Europe for 6 years total. Most of my European friends had half or less the amount of clothes I did. Most wore the same outfit over and over. The average washing machine in Europe is so tiny compared to US machines, it says it all.

But you are correct that EU laws are overly intrusive. Our garbage was checked by paid workers to make certain I had all the recycling correct and jars/bottles washed and cleaned before putting it in the recycle. If we made a mistake, boom a big fine. Plus the garbage inspector was able to look at and sort through everything we threw away, which told the government a great deal about us, too much actually. We also had the police round us up at a party because our dog was barking at home, when we all got home, the dog was asleep on the couch - but boom - fine for the dog barking too much when we weren't at home.

Because millions of homes turning up the central heating is more environmentally friendly than putting on an extra jumper?

Everyone knows that the Scandinavian winters are the same as summer in Spain?

Sarc.

I have about 4 pairs of jeans that I've had for a long time. I have about 4 or 5 pairs of sweats. I have two drawers full of random Geek-type or plain color tees that I mix and match with the above depending on if I'm home or going out. Some of those tees are years old.

I have my workout clothing, enough to get me through 4 workouts a week without having to wash.

I have one pair of sneakers.

I have a few nice outfits that rarely get used at all.

I have a few long-sleeve pullovers for winter wear, and I have a bevy of pairs of Sherpa booties and cabin socks to wear around the house in winter.

That's my wardrobe. That's it. If I add something, it's most likely to be another tee.

originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus

...but who TF wears polyester?

THIS GUY!

a reply to: The2Billies

And people still wonder why we left the EU.

a reply to: AugustusMasonicus

Most clothes today is a mix of fiber soo polyester is one of them, but also you find other fibers included in the garment.

Look a the tag of some pieces of clothing and see how much percentage of each fiber you find.

originally posted by: The2Billies

originally posted by: randomthoughts12
a reply to: The2Billies
Wouldn't there be a simple solution as to simply when you get something new you have to donate something old.

Not a solution. The article, and proposed legislation, says most donated items end up being burned. They demand laws that make it impossible for the average person to purchase more than a few items a year.

i don't believe that either about most clothes being burnt.
Since the Poles came here they have opened businesses called things like 'Cash For Clothes'.
They basically pay about a £ a kilo for old unwanted clothes.My sister had a clear out of a couple of years of her daughters clothes when they were kids so growing fast.She had about five black waste bags full.They just weigh the bags and pay you.
She got around £70 for things she would have binned and the shops are common in our city so it was only five minutes from her house.
I presume the clothes get cleaned and sold in Eastern Europe or the third world with the ones that can't be used again turned into rags,bagged and sold.

originally posted by: marg6043
Most clothes today is a mix of fiber soo polyester is one of them, but also you find other fibers included in the garment.

Look a the tag of some pieces of clothing and see how much percentage of each fiber you find.

I can tell you right now I don't have one article of clothing that is made with polyester, not even my socks, and most of my clothing is European so I'm still left wondering who TF wears polyester.

originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus

Not that I'm for government making choices for people but who TF wears polyester?

Everyone who hates to iron and doesn't want wrinkles.

I've had polyester (made to look like silk) last for years and years and years, much longer than the real thing which wrinkles/shrinks/and stains at the drop of a hat.

If you love to iron, go for the natural fibers, your choice.
I hate to iron, waste of time.
I also prefer clothes that resist stains and last a long time.

But whatever you prefer, go for it.

originally posted by: IAMTAT
THIS GUY!

Sal from Staten Island! I knew you knews dat guy.