The fashion industry is one of the world’s worst polluters: It accounts for 10% of global carbon dioxide emissions and more than four percent of the waste stream. As textiles decompose in landfills, they emit high levels of methane gas, which is a primarily contributor to global warming; dyes and other additive can leach into soil and contaminate groundwater. Although 95% of these materials are either reusable or recyclable, only about 15% are used again.
How can we stop overproduction of textiles, recycle more textiles and protect the environment? Extended producer responsibility. EPR programs incentivize the design of products that are environmentally responsible – such as those made from recycled materials.
In 2008, France became the first country to enact a textile EPR law; by 2020, 39% of products were collected. EPR programs incentivize the design of more sustainable products and build supply chains for those made with recycled materials, which are the building blocks of an emerging circular economy that protects our environment and builds a better future.
In 2016, PSI facilitated a multi-stakeholder working group in New York to develop the first standards for used textile collection, which were adopted by Goodwill and the Salvation Army, among others. The following year, we partnered again with the New York State Association of Reduction, Reuse, and Recycling and the New York Product Stewardship Council to host a broad group of stakeholders – including manufacturers, retailers, recycling/reuse organizations, fashion industry representatives, state and local government, researchers, nonprofits, and consumers – at an interactive summit at the Fashion Institute of Technology to discuss innovations in textiles production, recovery, recycling, and policy –including EPR.
In 2024, California enacted the first textile EPR law in the United States. The law mandates that producers of household textiles, including clothing, footwear, and hospitality items, finance and manage a statewide program to collect, encourage reuse, fund repair, or recycle post-consumer textiles. The law was championed by the California Product Stewardship Council and was supported by H&M Group, Ikea, Marmot, Circ Inc., and numerous others, including PSI. In February 2026, CalRecycle selected Landbell USA as the PRO. All producers of covered textile products must join register with Landbell USA by July 1, 2026. The program expected to be in operation by January 1, 2030.
What can you do? If your state has not yet enacted a law, tell your representatives that you support textile EPR legislation. Then, learn where to recycle or safely dispose of textiles in your community.
If you’re a PSI Member or Partner, search our Resource Library for in-depth information on textile stewardship in the United States and around the world and our Legislation Library for a detailed history of textile EPR bills and laws in the U.S.