The TRUSTex project was launched with a dynamic gathering of 19 partners from various corners of Europe, united in their mission to confront a pressing challenge. The urgency is clear, driven by compelling statistics as the existing textile system is far from sustainable:
- The EU textile industry boasts a turnover of €147 billion
- However, a mere 38% of textiles are collected for reuse or recycling
- Alarmingly, 8 million tonnes are incinerated or sent to landfills each year
- The textile sector stands as the fourth largest contributor to environmental impact.
Textile Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes offer a crucial chance for the European Union to embrace circular business models and reinforce its status as a global leader in sustainability within the textile sector. The core aim of this initiative is to explore various strategies and develop recommendations that assess the viability of EPR schemes, identifying their shortcomings and suggesting effective solutions. Built on a strong governance framework, TRUSTex takes a comprehensive approach to address essential EPR functions such as collection, sorting, reuse, and recycling.
This diverse strategy aims to uncover obstacles within these processes while highlighting innovations that enhance the EU's ability to handle textile waste. As a result, the project promotes eco-design for new fibers and the integration of Design for Disassembly technologies. Furthermore, TRUSTex plans to create digital solutions that align with upcoming digital product passport and labeling regulations, ensuring efficient garment identification and traceability.
Throughout the project, TRUSTex prioritizes ongoing feedback and collaboration with key stakeholders. In its concluding phases, a robust strategy for dissemination, communication, and exploitation will engage society, consumers, and end-users, raising awareness about the advantages of adopting sustainable and circular business practices. Ultimately, TRUSTex aims to serve as a catalyst for positive societal change, impacting health and livelihood practices across the continent.
As the mandatory separate textile collection approaches in 2025, our consortium is pioneering transformative solutions:
- Digital Product Passports that will track the entire lifecycle of a garment
- AI-driven sorting technologies designed to enhance recycling efficiency
- Cutting-edge eco-design strategies aimed at improving circularity
- Data-backed guidance for the effective implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility.
In the coming three years, we are dedicated to exploring and refining these solutions to aid the textile industry's shift towards sustainability.
Consortium

Coordinator
Luxembourg Institute Of Science And Technology
Belgian Partners
Centexbel, Resortecs & Prospex Institute
Acknowledgments
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Research and Innovation program under grant agreement N° 101181901 and from the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). Posts and shares reflect only the views of all the involved partners.

