From Waste Management to Circularity

As a startup scaling towards our firstsmall-scale industrial plant, the framework conditions for scaling are particularly important to matterr. Building recycling at scale requires reliable material flows, demand for recycled materials and significant investment ininfrastructure.

The report highlights an importantopportunity: a well-designed EPR system should not only finance wastemanagement, but also create the conditions for scaling textile recycling. matterr contributed to the dialogue that helped shape the report, which was developed through a collaborative process involving more than 20 stakeholders from across the textile value chain.

Among its recommendations are:

• Introducing a recycling quota to create reliable feedstock for recyclers and provide a clear investment signal for expanding recycling capacity. This should be complemented by recycled content requirements under the ESPR to stimulate demand for recyclates.
• Rewarding circular product design through eco-modulated EPR fees, creating financial incentives for products that are easier to recycle.
• Closing the scale-up gap through a dedicated EPR innovation fund that can help de-risk capital-intensive projects and leverage private investment in recycling infrastructure.

As Germany develops its national textile EPR system, the key is to design it as a catalyst for a competitive and circular textile economy. Download the full report here:
https://www.circular-republic.org/publications/epr-textiles/