Too many clothes? California's new bill mandates brands to recycle
What's the story
California is poised to become the first state in the US to address the issue of fast fashion waste that is increasingly burdening consumers and landfills.
The proposed landmark bill would require clothing brands to recycle their products.
This initiative comes as a response to the growing trend of discarding clothes after a few years of use, which has been contributing significantly to environmental pollution.
Producer accountability
New bill shifts recycling responsibility to clothing producers
The proposed California bill, known as the Responsible Textile Recovery Act, aims to shift the responsibility of recycling from consumers to clothing producers.
The legislation would mandate that manufacturers implement a system for recycling the products they sell.
This groundbreaking approach could revolutionize how we dispose of our clothes, by placing the onus on those who produce them rather than those who purchase them.
Textile recovery
Statewide reuse, repair, and recycling program proposed
If the Responsible Textile Recovery Act is passed, Californians will be able to take their unwanted or damaged clothing and household textiles to designated collection sites for recycling.
The bill requires producers of apparel, towels, bedding, and upholstery to establish and fund a statewide program for the reuse, repair, and recycling of their products.
This first-of-its-kind legislation aims to provide an accessible solution for textile waste across the state.
Waste statistics
Textile waste in the US: A growing environmental concern
Since 1960, textile waste in the US has increased almost tenfold, reaching over 17 million tons in 2018.
Alarmingly, about 85% of all textiles end up in landfills where they emit methane gas and leach chemicals and dyes into our soil and groundwater.
Despite an estimated 95% of materials being recyclable, only around 15% of clothing and other textiles are currently reused.
Legislative progress
Bill gains broad support, awaits governor's approval
Democratic State Senator Josh Newman, who sponsored the Responsible Textile Recovery Act, mentioned that significant efforts were made to consult and align all stakeholders involved in the textile life cycle, ensuring that there was ultimately no opposition to the act.
The bill has received over 150 endorsements from environmental organizations, municipal waste managers, and retailers like Ikea, Everlane and Goodwill.
It is currently awaiting approval from California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Green jobs
Bill promises transition to sustainable, circular economy
Supporters of the Responsible Textile Recovery Act believe it will help the industry transition to a sustainable and circular economy.
This shift could unlock new environmentally beneficial production and consumption opportunities, creating over 1,000 green jobs.
The bill would incentivize manufacturers to adopt less wasteful practices and create greener designs, making them responsible for their products throughout their entire lifecycle.
Program development
Implementation details and timeline yet to be finalized
Details about the implementation of the Responsible Textile Recovery Act are still being worked out.
Companies that produce apparel and other textiles sold in California will have until 2026 to create a non-profit organization responsible for designing collection sites, mail-back programs, or other solutions.
The recycling program is not expected to be operational until at least 2028.