France to pay citizens bonus for getting their clothes repaired
Got a damaged shirt? Malfunctioning zip? Or, a broken heel? If you live in France, the government will refund your repair cost. The French government has introduced a new scheme to combat clothing waste, offering a "repair bonus" for people who mend their garments instead of discarding them. Approximately 700,000 tonnes of clothing are discarded in France annually, with two-thirds ending up in landfills.
People to get Rs. 550-2300 for each repair
Starting in October, the French government will give people a special discount as a reward for getting their clothes repaired. The discount can be worth between Rs. 550-2300 for each repair. Bérangère Couillard, the secretary of state for ecology, announced the financial incentives during a visit to a Paris-based fashion hub. To help with this problem, the government has set aside Rs. 14,000 crore.
How will the system work?
To receive the discount, people must get their clothes and shoes repaired at authorized sewing workshops or by cobblers. Customers will get Rs. 650 for getting a heel mended and Rs. 900-2300 for clothing items. Couillard invited all sewing workshops and shoemakers to be part of the program. She explained that the main purpose is to help and encourage those who do the repairs.
Refashion will maintain the refund scheme
The eco-organization Refashion has been given the task by the French government to create and maintain the refund scheme. Refashion's mission is to inspire people to repair, reuse, and limit the amount of textiles they buy. They also encourage donating unwanted garments. Refashion estimates that approximately 56% of donated items can still be used, while 32% can be recycled and transformed into something new.
France previously launched a similar scheme for household appliances
Measures to encourage consumers to repair, reuse, and recycle clothing follow the footsteps of the bonus scheme for household appliances which the French government brought in 2020. The aim of this scheme is to transform the way household goods are produced and consumed, with the objective of reducing waste, conserving natural resources, protecting biodiversity, and addressing the climate crisis.
Fashion industry's pollution impact
Every year, over 100 billion textiles are sold all around the world. In France, this amounts to 10.5 kilograms per person per year. The repair bonus scheme is part of a bigger effort by the French government to reform the textile industry and to fight against the popular trend of fast fashion. The textile industry is one of the biggest sources of pollution worldwide.
