Center for Sustainable Materials Management’s Post

According to the recent Divert NS Landfill Waste Audit the percentage of Textiles increased in 2023 (18.1%) compared to 2017 (8.6%). Textile Waste is becoming a global issue. How can we reduce our textile disposal? Can we keep our textiles for longer? This video aims to build awareness, showcase the issues of textile waste, and some of the actions we can take to address it. https://lnkd.in/eWk6wtTp

Here is some news I wanted to share: California became the first state to introduce EPR for textiles - The Responsible Textile Recovery Act. A few key points are: ✶ By January 2026, producers—including those who sell, offer for sale, or distribute apparel and textile products—must create or join a producer responsibility organization (PRO). This organization will establish free collection points for used textiles. 👕 ✶ By March 2027, the PRO must carry out a needs assessment to identify the investments and steps needed to collect, sort, reuse, repair, and recycle post-consumer textiles. This assessment will also guide the implementation of an eco-modulated fee and the rollout of a statewide consumer education program.🧤 ✶ By July 2030, all producers must be part of a PRO, paying annual fees based on their sales volume and eco-modulated fee criteria for managing post-consumer textiles. Very interesting to see CA's effort to manage textile waste. Link to press release: https://lnkd.in/gmCWFfCr #textile #california #senatebill #extendedproducerresponsibility #wastemangement #recycling

Removing PFAS chemicals from the industrial workwear market place is a serious issue. Many manufacturers are working to replace PFAS coated Flame-Resistant garments with new garments with the latest upgraded finishes. Little or no attention is being given to the disposal of used PFAS coated garments.  General Recycled has assembled a group of leading North American scientists and research facilities, to address the problem of identifying PFAS chemicals on used FR garments, removing the PFAS finish, and recycling those garments back into usable FR fibres. Upon completion of our trial process, the resulting program will be immediately available to all companies and governments who recycle their end-of-life Flame-resistant garments, with the ultimate goal of making our process available to all areas of the textile trade that have used PFAS chemicals when treating their fabrics.  Garments containing Flame-Resistant (FR) aramid fibres are 100% non-biodegradable and should not be sent to landfill. With the recent identification of PFAS chemicals leaching from landfills…see link as an example…disposing of FR garments with PFAS coatings adds another level of importance to solving this critical environmental issue. General Recycled is proud to be a leader solving this problem.          https://lnkd.in/gyU95uGG 

California's Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024 is an important step forward to reshape the way we think about textile waste. Did you know that 37 kg of textile waste per person ends up in Canadian landfills each year? 😲 This new legislation is a game-changer, introducing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for fashion and textile companies, making them accountable for the recycling, repurposing, or proper disposal of their products at the end of life. Here’s why this matters: 🌱 It encourages innovation in textile recycling and sustainable design. ♻️ It builds a circular economy where textiles get a second life instead of being dumped in landfills. 💡 It incentivizes producers to raise consumer awareness and makes it easier to donate, recycle, or upcycle used clothing. The fashion industry accounts for 8.1% of the total greenhouse gas emissions. #Sustainability #TextileWaste #CircularEconomy #FashionRevolution #ClimateAction #ResponsibleFashion

💥Just signed today ♻️ Senate Bill 707 (SB 707), the Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024, has been signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom. This groundbreaking legislation establishes the country’s first Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) textile recycling program, marking a significant step forward in the state’s efforts to combat waste and promote sustainability. Under its provisions, 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 fibers. Once implemented, SB 707 will not only reduce the amount of textiles sent to landfills but will 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. #textiles #textilerecycling #circularity

👏 A huge win for sustainability in the fashion industry! SB 707 is a crucial step toward a more responsible and circular future for textiles. Excited to see how this will drive innovation in recycling, upcycling, and responsible production. Let’s keep pushing for industry-wide change! 🌍♻️ #Sustainability #CircularEconomy #SB707 #FashionRevolution #ExtendedProducerResponsibility

#California has taken a significant step forward in #sustainability by passing the 'Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024 (SB 707)'. The act mandates that manufacturers of #textiles are now responsible for funding and managing the #endoflife processes of their products, including #recycling, #reuse, and #repair. #TexSPACEToday

Textile #recycling trade associations say the industry is on the brink of collapse, but critics say it never existed to begin with. Beyond the noise, is there an opportunity for change? Last month, Textile Recycling International Limited — a UK firm that collected, sorted and exported secondhand textiles — entered administration. A week later, the UK’s Textile Recycling Association issued a statement, claiming that many more were also facing imminent financial threats. They cited problems like overflowing sorting facilities, the crisis in the Red Sea disrupting shipping lines, rising taxation from African and Asian markets, #fastfashion flooding the #secondhand market with low-quality goods, and mounting pressure from legislators to curb the export of textile waste. Legislation is far off from industry reform, and the real issue unspoken in these warnings is that the textile-to-textile recycling industry has never gotten off the ground. Here's everything to know.

🌟 Insights on Textiles Policy Reform: Addressing Challenges and Opportunities 🌟 Today I participated in a pivotal discussion centered around Defra's research initiative aimed at understanding the textiles system in England and Wales. The focus was on assessing the potential impacts of proposed policy reforms and identifying opportunities to foster a more circular system. Among the policies under consideration are mandates for non-domestic organizations and retailers to separate textile waste, along with landfill bans on separately collected textiles. While these initiatives signal positive steps towards sustainability, it's crucial to address the practical implications, especially for reuse merchants. In my view, there's a need for licensing and financial support to ensure the feasibility of these policies for reuse merchants. Without such support, the policies may prove unworkable, hindering the transition to a circular textiles economy. Perspectives on how these policies may affect current flows of textiles and potential reuse and recycling options will be invaluable. Let's work together to shape policies that promote sustainability while supporting the vital role of reuse merchants in the textiles ecosystem. #TextilesPolicy #CircularEconomy #Sustainability #Reuse #Recycling #Defra #EnvironmentalPolicy #WasteManagement #CircularTextiles #TextilesIndustry #SustainableFashion #ELTGLOBAL 🔍🚀 Let's keep the discussion open and drive forward reform!🔄🌍🤝📈

Numerous Chinese factories that produce synthetic dyes for the textile industry got shut down for environmental inspections starting last summer. In the wake of those closures, new dyeing methods for textiles are emerging that could help save water, reduce pollutants, save energy, and protect human health. Nanda Mahapatra #SustainableFashion #TextileIndustry #WaterConservation #ChemicalFree #InnovativeDyeing #EcoDyes #TextileInnovation #SustainableDyes #RecycledMaterials #EcoTextiles #EnergyEfficiency #TextileResearch https://lnkd.in/gsYwfAAD