Estonia’s Ministry of Climate has drafted an amendment to the Waste Act that would require producers of textiles, footwear, and food products to finance waste collection and reduction efforts. The proposal aims to align national legislation with the European Union’s updated Waste Framework Directive by holding companies accountable for the full life cycle of their products.
Why the government is targeting producer responsibility
According to Kuldar Leis, current systems for managing textile and food waste are insufficient, leading to a significant loss of resources. Estonia generates approximately 18,000 tons of textile waste annually, a volume Leis attributes largely to the growth of fast fashion. Under the proposed system, companies placing these goods on the market for the first time—including e-commerce firms operating within the EU regardless of their registration country—would be required to fund the collection and recycling of their products. The ministry intends for this service to be provided to the public free of charge.
How the new food waste mandates will function
The draft law sets binding targets to reduce food waste from an annual average of 180,000 tons recorded between 2021 and 2023 to 155,000 tons by 2030. Within this broader goal, the ministry aims to limit waste in retail, catering, and households to 85,000 tons, while targeting 31,000 tons for the food industry. Large-scale retail, wholesale, and manufacturing entities will be required to measure their waste output and establish formal reduction plans. Additionally, these companies must cooperate with at least one food-redistribution organization to expand donation efforts.
What happens next for consumers and businesses
If the amendment is approved, Estonia plans to implement extended producer responsibility for textiles by 2028. Officials point to existing mechanisms for electronics, batteries, and tires as a model for this transition. Based on the performance of similar systems in Latvia, France, and the Netherlands, the Ministry of Climate suggests that recycling costs could remain minimal—amounting to only a few cents per item—without placing a financial burden on taxpayers. While many companies currently implement voluntary waste reduction measures, the new law would make such practices standard across the sector, a shift Leis notes could help businesses lower their operational costs.