Textiles

The fashion industry is one of the world’s largest polluters, responsible for up to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions and more than four percent of the solid waste stream. In Washington alone, more than 400 million pounds of apparel and textiles are sent to the landfill each year, including clothing, shoes, bedding, and other household products. Local thrift stores can sell only a fraction of what they receive—often just 20–30%—while the rest is exported or discarded. As textiles decompose in landfills, they release methane gas, a potent greenhouse gas, and toxic dyes and chemicals that can contaminate soil and groundwater.

Although approximately 95% of textile materials are reusable or recyclable, only about 15% are recovered. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies provide a solution to this growing problem by holding producers accountable for the collection, repair, and recycling of the textiles they produce, while encouraging sustainable product design and circular systems that prevent waste before it starts.

Programs

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Washington HB 1420 – Responsibility for Textiles and Apparel

Proposed legislation would establish a statewide EPR program for apparel and textiles, requiring producers to fund and coordinate the collection, reuse, repair, repurposing, and recycling of clothing and other textile products. The program would support local collection systems, reduce landfilling and export of textiles, and create green jobs across Washington.

The bill also includes provisions for:

• Public education and outreach;
• Chemical reporting on textile materials; and
• Incentives for sustainable product design.

California – Textiles Recovery Act (2024)

The first textile EPR law in the U.S., California’s program mandates that producers finance and operate collection, sorting, and recycling systems for textiles and apparel. The program aims to reduce landfilling, prevent export of waste, and improve design for recyclability.

France – Textiles EPR Program

Launched in 2008, France’s national EPR program for textiles requires producers to manage post-consumer clothing, footwear, and household linens. By 2020, the program achieved a 39% collection rate—more than double the U.S. average—and helped establish a thriving repair and resale sector.

Resources

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• HB1420 Textiles Policy Factsheet  
• Product Stewardship Institute (PSI) – Textiles