CALIFORNIA – Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law, September 28, Senate Bill 707 – the responsible textile recovery act.
The first in the nation law mandates that producers of clothing, shoes, handbags, backpacks and other textiles manage the collection and recycling of them.
Bill author Senator Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) says SB 707 will not only reduce the amount of textiles sent to landfills but will also help address the environmental impacts of “fast fashion” and the “throwaway culture.”
Only 15% of textiles are recycled
According to Newman, in 2021, approximately 1.2 million tons of textiles were disposed of in California. Despite 95% of textiles being reusable or recyclable, only 15% are currently recycled or reused.
Fast fashion, a business model that involves mass-producing inexpensive clothing based on the latest trends and selling it quickly in stores and online, “is a major contributor to these devastating trends,” according to Newman.
He says the law will create new opportunities for Californians to participate in a more sustainable future.