ECAP was an EU LIFE funded project which aimed to reduce clothing waste across Europe and embed a circular economy approach. Our research Mapping clothing impacts in Europe: the environmental cost showed that there was a big opportunity for the environmental impact of clothing to be reduced.
Read about the ECAP Summary Report 2019 ‘Driving circular fashion and textiles’ here – in English , Danish or Dutch.
The project ran for four years, ending in December 2019. Research, case studies and recommendations will be shared on our website for years thereafter to help the sector continue its path to sustainability. We worked across eight different areas to achieve this.
Objectives and targets
The focus of ECAP was to adopt a circular approach to divert clothing waste from landfill and incineration across Europe. Specifically it aimed to:
- Divert clothing waste from landfill and incineration.
- Reduce the carbon, water and waste footprints of clothing in Europe.
- Ensure that fewer low grade textiles go to incineration and landfill.
- Prevent waste in the clothing supply chain.
- Encourage innovation in resource-efficient design, recycling of textile fibres and service models to encourage business growth in the sector.
- Influence consumers to buy smarter and use clothing for longer by using the existing Love Your Clothes consumer campaign.
Read project results in the ECAP Summary Report 2019 – Driving circular fashion and textiles
Links with European clothing sector
The project had important synergies with existing and upcoming sector activities and supported these to deliver best practice.
The synergies included specific sustainability goals developed through European Commission proposals such as the Circular Economy Package, Product Environmental Footprint, and EU Garment Initiative, as well as Action Plans led by National Governments and Industry Associations.
The project also delivered actions which support the UN Sustainable Development Goals (in particular goals 9, 12, 13, 15 and 17) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.