Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association (SMART)’s Post

California Wants Fashion Brands to Pay for Waste: A Necessary Change for the Fashion Industry? California’s new bill, awaiting only Governor Gavin Newsom’s signature, aims to make fashion brands responsible for ensuring their clothes don’t end up in landfills, potentially setting a model for other states in terms of textile recycling. This could finally push companies to actively consider how to reduce waste and pollution. We know that when costs come into play, waste management can no longer be easily ignored. After all, it’s been common to think that customers are willing to pay for that waste too, and many brands have focused more on crafting an “eco-friendly” narrative than on real improvements in production and distribution cycles. But this might be the turning point. The industry needs to change direction, and laws like this represent a step forward. It’s not just about environmental sustainability but also about transparency and accountability. The real challenge isn’t just convincing the public that brands are “green” but ensuring that they truly are.

How amazing would it be if every fabric we used could be recycled and repurposed? Think what it would mean to let nothing go to waste. This week's blog post takes a deep dive into how this could be a reality with Closed-Loop Textile Recycling. Stay tuned for tomorrow's blog post to find out more!

Regulation promoting sustainability may be the final catalyst for the fashion industry to innovate and diversify its revenue streams. This is despite rising supply chain and marketing costs, coupled with the rise of unregulated ultra-fast fashion giants like Shein and Temu, which have pushed the industry to the brink of collapse. In 2000, the music industry relied on CD sales for 95% of its revenue but quickly declined with the shift to digital. Like music, fashion can recover by embracing resale and rental, as consumers have already done on platforms like The Volte, eBay, Poshmark and Depop. This shift will create new revenue streams for retailers and unlike CDs, positions fashion as an income-generating asset, proven by items such as sneakers on StockX, eBay and GOAT Group. Consumers will be incentivized to invest in high-quality fashion that holds value in the circular economy, while digital authentication will help combat counterfeits—setting this model apart from the disposable nature of ultra-fast fashion. Circularity is crucial for sustainability but equally crucial for the industry's survival. eBay Australia Kellie Hush James Linney Ainsley Simpson Seamless Rebecca Newton Anne-Marie Cheney Kirsty Keoghan eBay Ventures Chris Kaufman Henri Jaanimägi João Duarte Rosie Hartman Jonelle Thomas Adi Thacker Beatriz Reyero James Edwards Tracie Clark Australian Fashion Council (AFC) Melissa Singer Debra Langley Lisa Lake Timo Rissanen University of Technology Sydney

We firmly believe that California should adopt legislation requiring fashion firms to be accountable for their waste, especially when making sure that used clothing does not wind up in landfills. In our opinion, this bill is consistent with the growing global trend in the fashion sector toward sustainability and accountability. Such actions are essential for encouraging moral behavior in the fashion industry and protecting the environment. The Pearl of Africa Fashion Alliance (PAFA) highlights several key points regarding this legislation: PAFA believes that fashion brands should be held accountable for the lifecycle of their products. By making companies responsible for the disposal of their clothing, the bill encourages them to adopt more sustainable practices, such as recycling and upcycling, which can significantly reduce textile waste. The alliance sees potential economic benefits arising from this legislation. By fostering a circular economy, where materials are reused and repurposed rather than discarded, new business models can emerge. This could create jobs in sectors related to recycling and sustainable fashion. PAFA recognizes California’s influence as a trendsetter in environmental policy. The alliance hopes that this initiative will inspire similar legislation in other regions, including Uganda, thereby promoting a global shift towards sustainable fashion practices. The bill is expected to raise awareness among consumers about the impact of fast fashion on the environment. PAFA believes that educating consumers about sustainability will lead to more informed purchasing decisions and greater demand for eco-friendly products. Lessons for Ugandans From this situation, Ugandans can learn several important lessons: There is an urgent need for Ugandan fashion brands to adopt sustainable practices similar to those being mandated in California. This includes considering the entire lifecycle of garments and implementing strategies to minimize waste. We should advocate for policies that promote environmental responsibility within our fashion industry here in Uganda. Pushing for regulations similar to California’s bill will help us create a framework that will encourage our local Ugandan brands to prioritize sustainability. The concept of a circular economy is vital for reducing waste and maximizing resource use. Our own Ugandan entrepreneurs can also explore innovative business models focused on recycling and reusing materials, which could lead to new market opportunities while addressing environmental concerns. Finally, Ugandan fashion manufacturers must begin teaching their customers about the consequences of their purchases. The demand for sustainable products can be increased by an informed public, which will force local brands to adjust.

How else will we understand the full environmental and product life cycle cost of fashion unless we factor in the complete cost including who pays for the downstream waste. It’s time to start holding fast fashion and ultra-fast fashion brands accountable with regulation. Otherwise they’ll never stop robbing the planet and the rest of the industry of vital resources.

What is Textile Recycling? Textile recycling involves repurposing used textiles through methods like reusing, upcycling, and textile-to-textile recycling. It gives old clothes new life, reducing waste and adding value. Downcycling is another form, where textiles are transformed into lower-value products, like insulation. Textile-to-textile recycling, where garments are broken down into fibers and made into new textiles, is the least common form. This process can be done mechanically or chemically, each with its own pros and cons. Mechanical recycling is simpler but may weaken fibers, while chemical recycling retains fiber strength but involves potentially harmful chemicals. Both methods are vital but should be used thoughtfully to avoid perpetuating overconsumption. #TextileRecycling #SustainableFashion #CircularEconomy #EcoFriendly #Upcycling #ReduceWaste #SustainableLiving #FashionRevolution #ZeroWasteFashion #RecyclingInnovation

Sadly still less than 1% of textile fibers are recycled into textiles again. But it's nice to know there are so many people and start-ups investing in new technologies to recycled textiles! Happy to learn more and participate on this journey! #textileinnovation #kvadratcreate “Unlocking textile-to-textile recycling pathways will be essential to reducing reliance on virgin synthetics. Equally important is continuing to support those on the ground who are driving the transition from conventional systems to preferred materials" -Textile Exchange Read the full report here https://lnkd.in/eebY8dtF

There's one sector of the recycling industry that we don't often talk about - textiles. Yet when we starting to explore the topic we found some startling statistics. Huge volumes of waste, negligible recycling rates and few success stories....why? Read our latest blog and we try answer some of these questions; https://buff.ly/4dowDBu

This is how E4f resurrect works , Your recycling solutions start here ,The mission – to keep apparel and other textiles out of landfill, whilst investing in circular solutions for the textile industry. Post Upcycling , Post Repurposing, Post Recycling, whatever fashion waste ……if left over, can be shredded , compacted with resins and used as fuel in Pollution Control Board approved Kilns and Furnaces. This process of E4F resurrect , thus ensures that we are a “Zero Waste Organization“. #zerowastefashion #sustainableclothing #sustainableclothing #sustainablefashion #ecofriendlyfashion