Recently signed into law in California, SB 707, known as the Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024, is the first Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program specifically focused on textiles. Under its provisions, SB 707 establishes a framework for producers and other participants in the value chain to take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their products, including the repair, recycling, and reuse of garments and fibers.
SB 707 aims to reduce the environmental impacts of textile waste, such as methane emissions from decomposing textiles in landfills and the leaching of chemicals into soil and groundwater. The law also seeks to regulate PFAS and “develop strategies to address the design challenges for covered products, including, but not limited to, compostability, reduction, and removal of harmful chemicals, microfiber and microplastic shedding, and mixed materials blends.”
In addition, the act promotes sustainable practices by incentivizing brands to adopt less wasteful production, greener designs, and safer alternatives.