Textile waste is still a problem and needs proper handling. To reduce waste and pollution that heats the Earth from the fashion industry, France introduced a new scheme, namely by subsidizing the cost of repairing old clothes and shoes. Under the scheme announced by the French Minister of State for Ecology Bérangère Couillard on Tuesday, 11 July 2023, the government provides various discounts. The amount is from 6-25 euros (around IDR 100,000 to IDR 420,000), depending on the complexity of the repair. For example, the repair of a simple dress would be subsidized 6 euros, while the repair of an old pair of shoes could qualify for a 25 euro discount. "That could encourage people who have bought, for example, shoes from a brand that makes quality shoes or good quality clothes to want to repair them instead of throwing them away," said Couillard, Friday (14/7/2023).

"And of course the goal is to create a circular economy for shoes and textiles so those products last a long time because the government, we believe in the second life of a product."

Couillard said the textile industry is expected to contribute a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, becoming the second highest pollutant emitting industry in the world. "What I hope is that French people will be more aware of what we are seeing, namely the impact of the textile industry around the world today," he said.

"So, they themselves can realize deviations from the way we consume now," he continued.

The country's Ecology Ministry has ordered a private French organization called Refashion to start the scheme. Tailors, clothing brands and repair shops can join the initiative free of charge through Refashion, which will collect a small 'eco-contribution' on their sales to cover the subsidy.

The government said it would not fund the scheme which is scheduled to start in October 2023. For consumers, the subsidy will be deducted from their bills immediately. Refashion will then arrange for the company to register with the scheme so that it can be refunded within 15 days.

Refashion says 3.3 billion pieces of clothing, shoes and household linen will be marketed in France in 2022. Meanwhile, according to the ministry, 700,000 tons of clothing are discarded by French people each year with two thirds ending up in landfills. The scheme follows a similar French initiative for household electronics, such as refrigerators and washing machines.

France's first step was taken by Uniqlo, a Japanese clothing brand. They opened a studio for upcycling or recycling clothes starting with a pilot project in a number of stores.