France is proposing a European Union ban on exports of used clothes, the environment ministry has told Reuters.
It comes as governments look for new ways to tackle the worsening problem of textile waste.
United Nations trade data shows the EU exported 1.4 million metric tonnes of used textiles in 2022, more than twice as much as in 2000.
The clothes can cause pollution in African countries, where items that cannot be resold end up in dumps, the EU has said.
In total, Europe produces 5.2 million tons of clothing and footwear waste every year, according to the European Commission.
Along with Sweden and Denmark, who are backing the proposal, France is aiming for it to be discussed during an Environment Council meeting in Brussels on 25th March, according to the ministry, which blames a throwaway attitude to clothing on ‘fast-fashion’ retailers who benefit from over-consumption.
“Africa must no longer be the dust bin of fast-fashion, “France’s environment ministry said in a statement to Reuters.”We must reduce waste, and manage our own waste.”