A ban on the disposal of unsold clothes and shoes took effect across the European Union on Sunday, in the bloc's latest move to cut waste.
Hundreds of thousands of tons of fashionwear are destroyed every year across the 27-member EU due to damage, old stock and returned online orders.
The new rule is expected to affect large fashion retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers of apparel — only 20% of which are produced in the EU.What are the new rules?
Under the EU's Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, large companies with more than 250 employees and over €50 million in net annual turnover are banned from destroying stocks of unsold clothing, accessories and footwear.
Firms must now find ways of selling the products, including via discounts, alternative markets and charity donations.
