After battling a very rainy and windy winter, it seems that the sun is starting to win out. The days are getting longer, and although the nights are still cold, the midday temperatures already exceed 20ºC.

Advertising and shops remind us that the good weather is coming, and with it, a time for brighter colours and new clothes.

The textile sector’s ecological footprint is enormous; it is the second most polluting economic activity, after oil extraction and fuel production.

New measures are being approved by government agencies to help promote the reuse and recycling of clothing, accessories and footwear and, ultimately, promote the circular economy. In Europe alone, it is estimated that, each year, between 4 and 9% of textile products placed on the market are destroyed before being sold. This waste generates around 5.6 million tons of CO₂. New regulations will come into effect in July 2026, requiring large companies to report unsold consumer products that are disposed of as waste.

We can combat fast fashion by combining strict regulations with changes in consumer habits. However, things don’t seem to be moving in this direction: online shopping with free returns, social media sites promoting products at very low prices or shops open every day are situations that encourage non-stop shopping, which results in a pile of materials to destroy. We want our citizens to think about their purchases and be careful with textile waste.