Autumn session: An important signal for the textile circular economy

The Swiss textile industry wants to take the next step: from a collection system to a circular economy system. This requires the appropriate legal framework. The National Council sent a strong signal in this regard during the autumn session.

On 23 September, the National Council adopted the Sauter motion ‘Effective Recycling of Textiles’ by 137 votes to 50, with 5 abstentions. This marks an important step towards laying the foundations for an industry-organised and industry-funded circular economy solution for textiles.

With Fabric Loop, the industry has already laid the groundwork for such a national solution. The aim is to bring together collection, sorting and fibre-to-fibre recycling, thereby keeping textile materials in the cycle for as long as possible.

For this to work, all companies placing textiles on the Swiss market must participate – including foreign suppliers and online platforms. A purely voluntary solution cannot guarantee this. A legal framework is therefore required to ensure a level playing field for all.

In the run-up to the autumn session, Swiss Textiles championed the motion in numerous discussions with politicians, trade associations and companies. The Federal Council had also recommended its adoption.

For Swiss Textiles, one thing is clear: Switzerland has an established collection system. The task now is to create the conditions necessary to develop this into a functioning circular economy system. The National Council’s decision marks an important step forward. Next, the Council of States will consider the motion.