The Minister for Ecological Transition and the Secretary of State for Ecology published a committed opinion piece this Thursday in West France. They want to convince consumers to pay more attention to their clothing purchases, in particular by creating an eco-score by the end of 2023.
Textile, a very polluting industry
Just like the nutri-score of food, ranging from A to E, the eco-score will allow you to assign a score to each item according to its impact on the environment. “We will be able to identify what really matters: the materials and the industrial production processes of your garment”, declared Minister Christophe Béchu to BFM TV.
It’s a fact: the fashion industry is among the dirtiest in the world, emitting more greenhouse gases than international flights and maritime traffic combined. The two political figures therefore wish to encourage the French men and women to pay more attention to the quality of their purchases, without giving in to the sirens of “ultra fast fashion”.
Alert on overconsumption
The text explains that more than one out of two consumers has already bought second-hand clothes, the ideal way to renew their wardrobe at a lower financial and environmental cost. The director of the Zero Waste France association, however, wishes to qualify: “If you already have 40 t-shirts in your wardrobe, there will always be an environmental impact with the purchase of an additional t-shirt. »
The aim of the eco-score applied to fashion is to “allow the French to consume better, with clothes that will soon be more sustainable, eco-designed”. Among the other measures announced, a more efficient textile fiber recycling sector will be set up and financial bonuses will be granted to eco-responsible manufacturers. In addition, the government wants to launch a fund of 100 million euros for associations that give new life to clothes and shoes, as well as 150 million euros to encourage citizens to have their worn items repaired.