Delayed California Bill Paves the Way for US’ First Textile Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Initiative
California’s SB707, also known as the Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2023, was recently withdrawn from a legislative hearing. The delay in proceedings will provide stakeholders with ample time to consider what will become the United States’ first textile Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program. The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has expressed gratitude for the postponement, as it allows for further discussion and refinement of the proposed bill.
The primary objective of the bill is to establish an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program for apparel, textiles, and textile articles. Under this program, apparel producers would be required to take responsibility for the collection and recycling of their products. The AAFA, Accelerating Circularity Inc, and American Circular Textiles penned a letter earlier this month, expressing their vested interest in the success of SB707. They emphasized the importance of the bill achieving its intended goals as the first-ever national EPR scheme.
However, these organizations called for the bill to be a two-year initiative, allowing stakeholders to learn from California’s own pilot textiles Extended Producer Responsibility program, which was passed last year, as well as ongoing efforts in the European Union (EU) to establish a textiles EPR program.
In light of the decision to delay the hearing, Nate Herman, the AAFA’s SVP of policy, highlighted the significance of the additional time for stakeholders to thoughtfully craft the US’ first textile EPR program. He pointed out that California’s environmental and climate protection organization, CalRecycle, is currently occupied with implementing the plastic packaging EPR program passed last year. Therefore, delaying the bill until the next session, according to Herman, is a sensible move.
The AAFA expressed its commitment to continue working with Senator Newman to develop a well-designed and effective program. This delay will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to engage in careful deliberation, taking into account lessons from California’s pilot program and ongoing EU efforts.
Coincidentally, earlier this month, the European Commission proposed new rules that would hold fashion brands and retailers accountable for the entire lifecycle of textile products. The proposed regulations would require them to provide financial support for the sustainable management of textile waste across the European Union.
As discussions and collaborations continue, the delay in California’s SB707 offers stakeholders a valuable chance to shape the nation’s first textile Extended Producer Responsibility initiative. The outcomes of these efforts hold great potential in advancing the circularity and sustainability of the textile industry in the United States.
