SMART to Provide Industry Input as CA Prepares to Implement SB 707
The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) will host an informational workshop to kick off the implementation of the Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024 (SB 707)—the first Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law in the United States focused on textiles. The workshop will be held from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Pacific time at the California Environmental Protection Agency Headquarters in Sacramento, with a virtual attendance option available.
The event will introduce the key components of the law and provide stakeholders with an early opportunity to offer public input as CalRecycle begins the rulemaking process. Discussions will cover performance targets, producer responsibilities, and the structure of statewide collection, reuse, and recycling systems. The Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association (SMART) will participate in the workshop, with Jessica Franken, Director of Government Affairs, delivering remarks on behalf of the textile reuse and recycling industry and outlining key priorities for effective and equitable implementation.
Signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom in late 2024, the Responsible Textile Recovery Act establishes California’s first EPR framework for textiles. The law requires producers of apparel and certain textile products sold in the state to establish or join a stewardship organization to fund and manage the collection, recycling, and reuse of post-consumer textiles. The goal of the legislation is to divert used textiles from landfills, reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with textile waste, and support a more circular economy.
“SMART members are on the front lines of textile reuse and recycling, managing complex global supply chains that keep millions of pounds of textiles out of landfills each year. We’re encouraged by California’s commitment to engaging stakeholders early, and we look forward to contributing our operational expertise to help shape a program that works in practice—not just on paper.” SB 707 builds on California’s broader leadership in sustainable materials management, joining a suite of other producer responsibility laws covering packaging, batteries, and pharmaceuticals.
