New California law mandates fashion industry to take old clothes back for free

(KTLA) — California will soon have the nation’s first mandatory textile take-back requirement after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation requiring apparel companies to accept unwanted clothing.

The goal of the bill, SB 707, is to reduce the millions of tons of unwanted clothing that typically end up in landfills in California, support the development of upcycling and recycling across the state, and address the environmental impacts of “fast fashion.”

“SB 707 isn’t just about recycling; it’s about transforming the way we think about textile waste,” Senator Josh Newman (D-Fullerton), the bill’s author, said in a statement. “The framework created by SB 707 will create new opportunities for every Californian to participate in a more sustainable future.

Under the new law, companies that make clothing, footwear, and textiles — including drapes, towels and bedding — will need to create a nonprofit organization by 2026 that would set up collection sites at thrift stores, begin mail-back programs, or offer other ways to recycle unwanted clothing by 2030.

“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. California is again at the forefront of innovation, proving we can lead the way in creating a circular and sustainable textile economy that benefits everyone,” Newman said in a statement.

In 2021, officials say 1.2 million tons of textiles were disposed of in California. Despite 95% of textiles being reusable or recyclable, only 15% are currently recycled or reused, according to Cal Recycle, the state’s Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery.

The problem is being worsened by “fast fashion,” a trend in which clothing companies make low-cost clothing only intended to be worn a few times to keep up with ever-evolving fashion trends.

Fashion industry groups initially opposed the legislation, but after negotiating some changes with Newman, their positions shifted to neutral, according to the Los Angeles Daily News.

Companies that don’t follow the new law will be subjected to penalties, according to the law’s text.