California has made history by becoming the first U.S. state to require textile and fashion companies to take responsibility for their products' entire lifecycle through an innovative recycling program.
The Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024 (Senate Bill 707), signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 28, creates a comprehensive statewide system for collecting and recycling unwanted clothing and textiles.
Under the new law, clothing manufacturers and retailers must establish free drop-off locations and mail-back programs for consumers to return unwanted garments. Companies are required to join producer responsibility organizations (PROs) by July 2026 to manage these collection and recycling efforts.
The legislation addresses a pressing environmental challenge - California disposed of 1.2 million tons of textiles in 2021 alone, according to state data. The law aims to reduce textile waste while minimizing environmental and public health impacts.
"This represents a fundamental shift in how these companies operate," notes Rachel Kibbe, CEO of American Circular Textiles. "They have never been required to handle end-of-life responsibility for their products before in the United States."
While the law doesn't mandate consumer participation, it provides convenient free options for recycling or repairing clothing. Industry experts envision the development of extensive networks for resale, thrifting, and repair services becoming standard practice at retail locations.
The approved PROs must submit detailed plans to California's Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery outlining how they will collect, repair, and reuse textile items. Companies failing to comply with the law's requirements will face penalties.
Governor Newsom has indicated that these new requirements should not lead to increased costs for consumers, while creating a more sustainable approach to clothing consumption and disposal in California.