California is the first state to hold textile and fashion companies responsible for their products from start to finish. California’s Senate Bill 707, also known as the聽Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024,聽is aimed at establishing a statewide producer responsibility program to address textile waste.
SB 707 was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sept. 28. The California State Legislature said the emphasis is on minimizing hazardous waste, environmental impacts, and public health impacts. “It means a fundamental shift in the way they do business. They have never in the history of the United States been required to take responsibility for the end of life of their product,” said Rachel Kibbe, CEO of American Circular Textiles. “What I would like to see out of bills like this is a huge network of resale and thrifting and repair pop-ups. It should be the norm that you walk into any store and a lot of the clothing could be resold.”
SB 707 will require textile and apparel companies to accept unwanted items with the purpose of recycling them or preparing them for reuse.聽Companies will face penalties if they are not in compliance with all requirements under thee law, according to the California State Legislature.聽 聽聽The bill will require textile companies to form and join a producer responsibility organization (PRO) by July 1, 2026, that will create collection sites, drop-off locations and mail-back programs for post-consumer items.