Latest news with #WEFT
Fibre2Fashion
09-06-2025
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
UK consumers support EPR visible fees to promote sustainable fashion
UK consumers are supportive of visible Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) charges on clothing to boost recycling and promote sustainable fashion, according to new research from WEFT and QSA Partners, supported by the University of Leeds Back to Baselines programme. A comprehensive study, involving over 2,000 UK shoppers, found that a visible charge on clothing items could significantly enhance funding for textile recycling and reuse without deterring consumers. Consumers don't want things wrapped up in an overall cost or for brands to make decisions for them. A UK study by WEFT and QSA partners has found strong consumer support for visible EPR charges on clothing to boost recycling and sustainability. Over 80 per cent favour transparent labelling, with modest charges widely accepted. Clear communication is key, with 'charge' preferred over 'fee'. The initiative could raise up to £4 billion (~$5.41 billion) annually without burdening taxpayers. A modest fee of £0.50 (~$0.68) per clothing item would largely go unnoticed by shoppers, while a £1 (~$1.35) charge on higher-priced garments (above £40) would also be acceptable. In the past figures as low as one penny has been mooted – consumers said that they would tolerate far more. Interestingly, charges of up to £5 (~$6.76) per item would be required before significantly influencing purchasing decisions toward more sustainable products. 'Consumers clearly told us that transparency is essential. They want simple, visible information at the point of sale to help them make sustainable choices. It's encouraging to see such widespread support for practical steps towards greater sustainability in fashion,' Kristina Bull, co-founder of WEFT , said. Transparency emerged as a critical factor, with over 80 per cent of respondents favouring a clearly displayed charge at the point of sale. Shoppers showed a strong preference for a simple, traffic-light style labelling system indicating the environmental impact of products, UKFT, which works closely with QSA Partners and WEFT, said on its website. 'This research provides critical insights into consumer tolerance and preferences for EPR charges on clothing,' said professor Stephen J Russell of the University of Leeds . 'It clearly demonstrates how small, well-communicated charges can help drive meaningful changes towards a more circular economy.' Key findings from the study highlight the importance of clear, purposeful communication. Consumers prefer the term 'charge' over 'fee', with 70 per cent supporting visible charges when transparently explained. While sustainability still ranks below price, comfort, and fit in purchasing decisions, clear labelling significantly increases consumer willingness to choose sustainable products. Notably, tolerance for an EPR charge was consistent across all income levels, suggesting broad acceptance when the reasoning is clear. Introducing a small charge could generate between £2 billion (~$2.70 billion) and £4 billion (~$5.41 billion) annually, which could significantly enhance textile collection and recycling infrastructure, support the transition to a circular economy, and stimulate green job creation. Crucially, if implemented correctly, this initiative would not place a financial burden on the exchequer. WEFT and partners recommend further testing of consumer responses to EPR charges and clear labelling systems. They also stress the importance of designing policies that do not disproportionately affect lower-income groups. WEFT, a leading independent organisation driving fair and balanced textile EPR systems in the UK, is planning additional research in autumn 2025 to further refine these findings, supported by the Back to Baselines programme. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Champaign County clerk speaks out against school board candidates
Mar. 18—CHAMPAIGN — Is it appropriate for Champaign County's chief election official to publicly chastise candidates running for elective office? Speaking on a March 8 WEFT radio show, Champaign County Clerk and Recorder Aaron Ammons responded in the emphatic affirmative. He said it is "deeply disturbing" that some candidates running for the Champaign school board have indicated they are unhappy with the district superintendent and, if elected, would like to remove her. Ammons was referring to Superintendent Shelia Boozer. Depending on the outcome of the April 1 election, she could be in danger of losing her job. Noting Boozer's 2021 hiring, Ammons said board members should give her "some space" to "work things out." "That also means the broader community — or the White community — sort of has to have a hands off — like, you know — you better come up with some real stuff if you're talking about addressing this person, removing this person," he said. "You ain't coming with no frivolous stuff. You're not going to use issues that existed before I got here to say that this is what you're going to do to condemn me and not look at my whole record of what I'm trying to do. So give me some space and some time to work this out, like you do anybody else." He continued, saying "it's deeply disturbing to me that five people will say — and two of them seem to have some ethnicity other than Caucasian ..." "That doesn't mean they don't believe in White supremacy," program guest Imani Bazzell interjected. "Exactly," Ammons replied. He asserted that Boozer's critics "don't know" what's going on and don't know Boozer. "That should be a red flag for anybody," responded his wife, state Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana. The Ammonses host the WEFT show. Bazzell, a Champaign resident long involved in school issues as an advocate for the Black community, was their guest. The discussion was prompted by a phone call from Urbana Alderman Chris Evans, who sought their reaction to candidates' critical comments of Boozer. Animated by the inquiry, Aaron Ammons, who in his role as county clerk will preside over the April 1 consolidated election, asked for their identities because "we want to put the names out there." The candidates' statements, however, are not quite as definitive as Evans contended. He identified them as Tony Bruno, Christy Arnold, Al Molina, Fatima Ahmed and Roselle Bhosale. Bruno, Arnold and Molina are seeking three open four-year terms, while Ahmed and Bhosale are running to fill two two-year terms. In responses to community members' questions published in The News-Gazette the past 15 weeks, the five expressed a lack of support for Boozer. Arnold and Bruno have been the most vocal, with Arnold saying she would "immediately push to begin the search for a new leader" if elected. Bruno vowed to "bring a motion to terminate the superintendent's employment contract, double the salary and begin a nationwide search for top talent." Both Ahmed and Bhosale have said they would oppose renewing Boozer's contract. Molina joined them in that stance, saying: "I have firmly decided against supporting the renewal of her contract if elected as a board member." During their lengthy conversation about Boozer, the Ammonses and Bazzell said the fourth-year superintendent is a victim of racism and constant "workplace harassment." Aaron Ammons suggested Boozer's difficulties stem from White racism. "If you want to do something right, you've got to get a White man to do it. That's the philosophy," he said.
