There is a new rule in the EU. Large companies must not destroy unsold clothes. This rule also counts for shoes. Companies should give items away as gifts. Or they sell the items again. Before this rule, throwing away was cheap. Now things change.
There are some exceptions for the companies. Broken or dirty items go to the trash. Dangerous things also go to the trash. If nobody wants a gift, companies can destroy items. Small companies follow the rules later. The EU wants to protect the nature.
The trade group sees many gains for customers. There will be more cheap fashion in outlets. Second-hand shops will get more goods. Some experts criticize the plan. They want better controls of the rules. In Austria, there are no fines for rule breakers.
