California is tackling the problem of textile and fashion waste with the country’s first law that requires clothing companies to implement a recycling system for the garments they sell.
“I’m very proud to see SB 707 signed into law. It will have a major positive impact on California’s environment and communities,” said state Democratic Senator Josh Newman, who authored the bill. “SB 707 isn’t just about recycling; it’s about transforming the way we think about textile waste.”
The landmark bill passed with wide support from state legislators, reported The Guardian. As a result, fashion consumers in California will now have the option of bringing damaged and unwanted clothing and other textiles to collection sites - including thrift stores and charities - to be sorted and recycled.
The new law mandates that producers of clothing, bedding, towels and upholstery administer and fund the repair, reuse and recycling of their products statewide.
In the U.S., almost 10 times more textile waste is generated now than in 1960 - equating to around 19 million tons in 2018, 85 percent of which ends up in landfills. The rotting fibers leach dyes and chemicals into groundwater and soil, while emitting methane into the atmosphere.
Meanwhile, though about 95 percent of the materials used to make clothing and textiles are recyclable, only approximately 15 percent of them get reused.