CALFORNIA – Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Senate Bill 707, the Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024, into law. Introduced by Senator Josh Newman (D-Fullerton), the legislation establishes the nation’s first Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) textile recycling programme, representing a major milestone in California’s sustainability and waste reduction efforts.
The new law creates a comprehensive framework that holds producers and other stakeholders accountable for the entire lifecycle of their textiles, from production to recycling, repair, and reuse.
It aims to significantly reduce the volume of textiles ending up in landfills, while promoting the growth of upcycling and recycling initiatives throughout the state. It also targets the environmental harm caused by “fast fashion” and the disposable culture associated with it.
Senator Newman that the legislation goes beyond recycling, aiming to reshape how people view textile waste. He said that, by 2030, the bill would provide accessible drop-off points for used textiles statewide.
The fashion industry, a major polluter responsible for approximately 10 per cent of global carbon emissions, contributes significantly to environmental degradation through the disposal of textiles. When left in landfills, textiles release methane and leach harmful chemicals into the environment.
In 2021 alone, California disposed of roughly 1.2 million tons of textiles, despite 95 per cent of them being recyclable or reusable, though only 15 per cent were actually recycled.
Joanne Brasch, director of advocacy from the California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC), praised the collaborative effort between stakeholders in refining the final version of the bill. She noted that brands and associations had embraced the bill as a more equitable solution to a widespread problem.
It is hoped the law will encourage producers to adopt less wasteful practices and more sustainable designs.
Since its introduction in 2023, the bill has undergone extensive stakeholder engagement, resulting in numerous changes.
Environmental organisations, industry leaders, and community groups contributed to the development of the bill through hundreds of hours of meetings.
The bill has received broad support from groups such as the California Product Stewardship Council, IKEA, Goodwill, Sierra Club California, and several local governments and agencies.
