The legislation establishes the country’s first extended producer responsibility (EPR) textile recycling programme, marking a significant step forward in the state’s efforts to combat waste and promote sustainability, a release from Newman’s office noted.

SB 707 creates a framework for producers and other participants in the value chain to take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their products and textiles, including repair, recycling and reuse of garments and fibres.

Once implemented, it will not only reduce the amount of textiles sent to landfills, but also support the development of upcycling and recycling across California and help address the environmental impacts of fast fashion and the throwaway culture it has abetted, the release said.

“By 2030, convenient drop-off locations for used textiles across the state will provide everyone with a free and simple way to be part of the solution,” Newman, a former Army officer, businessperson and veterans’ advocate, said.

“The industry really showed up for the stakeholder process to make the final version as impactful as possible. We’ve seen brands and associations endorse the bill for a more equitable solution to a systematic problem,” said Joanne Brasch, director of advocacy at the California Product Stewardship Council.

“The programme will incentivise producers to adopt less wasteful production and greener designs,” he said.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)