Ever pictured a world where your best shirt doesn't just look good, but it does good for our planet too? Well, some big players in the US clothing scene are working to make that happen. A new law in the works called the Responsible Textile Recovery Act (SB707) could shake up how the fashion industry deals with waste over the next few years.
This law could set the tone for all future rules about waste and recycling in the US textile industry. It's all about using data and sustainable practices to make a change. This is the first time a law like this has been proposed nationally. So why do we need this law in the clothing and textile industry, and what part does data play in it?
Clothes and textiles make up a whole lot of waste worldwide. According to the US EPA, the United States alone throws away over 17 million tons of textiles annually. Most of this ends up in landfills or gets burned, which harms our environment and uses up our natural resources. A solid recycling law could help turn things around.
This law, known as
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), makes companies accountable for the environmental impact of their products. From creation to disposal, they're responsible. Under EPR, companies must ensure their products are properly recycled or reused at the end of their life. While it's a step in the right direction, it's also a massive task.
It's no secret that textile production leaves a substantial environmental footprint. The
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) indicates that textiles contribute about 10% of global carbon emissions. Water usage is another major concern. UNEP estimates that the fashion industry is responsible for 20% of global wastewater. These alarming figures underscore the urgency of adopting sustainable practices in the fashion industry, including for end-of-life textile products.
Most products end up causing more harm once they're out in the market. The US EPA reports that in 2018, only 14.7% of textiles were recycled. The rest? It went to landfills or incinerators.
When you toss a textile product into a landfill, it can stick around for hundreds of years. That's because about 60% of these materials are plastic. Burning textiles releases nasty chemicals that pollute our air and can harm our health.
Improved circularity practices for the textile industry are necessary, and EPR could be a key driver for positive change and innovation.
Extended Producer Responsibility, or EPR, is a law that shifts the responsibility for managing waste from the public to the companies that make the products. If the Responsible Textile Recovery Act (SB707) becomes law, clothing and textile manufacturers must make their effects last longer and be easier to fix, reuse, and recycle. They'll also have to ensure their products are recycled or reused. Guided by robust data collection and analysis, the goal is to reduce waste at the source, make products last longer, and reuse materials.
Several industry groups pushing for the Responsible Textile Recovery Act have raised concerns about its implementation, including questions about recycling infrastructure, reselling recycled materials, and product safety and brand responsibility guidelines. The American Apparel and Footwear Association, Accelerating Circularity Inc, and American Circular Textiles are calling for a two-year bill to allow more time to address these concerns and learn from existing EPR programs.
This policy could significantly cut down waste and boost sustainability in the textile industry. But EPR isn't a magic fix for the textile industry's environmental problems. It can't fix the root causes of waste, like overproduction and overconsumption. EPR needs cooperation from all stakeholders, awareness among consumers, and the proper infrastructure to work effectively.
There are two main ways to recycle textiles: mechanical and chemical. Mechanical recycling involves breaking down fabrics into small pieces and turning them into new materials. However, this process can weaken the material over time. Chemical recycling breaks down textiles into their essential components and rebuilds them. This method can maintain the material's quality but uses more energy, water, and chemicals. It can also produce hazardous waste that needs to be handled properly.
Data is the cornerstone of measuring the success of EPR policies within the textile industry. It helps pinpoint trends, expose gaps, and highlight potential improvements in EPR's implementation and assessment. With data, we can track and report on EPR's achievements - like waste reduction, better resource efficiency, lowering emissions, and value creation.
But collecting and analyzing data for textile EPR is a complex job. Various challenges and limitations exist in sourcing reliable and comparable data on textile production, usage, and waste management. For instance, there needs to be standardized measurements for textile waste generation and recycling rates across different regions. Inconsistencies and a need for more transparency in collecting, reporting, and verifying data by various stakeholders add to the difficulties.
This brings us to the necessity for robust data capture and material tracking solutions to support the implementation and assessment of textile EPR. With an accurate picture of program performance, stakeholders can:
Imagine the journey of a single t-shirt, from its creation to the moment it's recycled. At the end of its life, this t-shirt ends up in a bin and is transported for disposal. Its future can be a hit or miss without comprehensive data and analytics. It may be sorted and broken down into raw materials; it could contaminate other textile recyclables due to the need for more information about its composition or colour. It could end up in a landfill despite the intentions of the consumer and current recycling capabilities. With a data-centric approach to material flow and management, EPR programs can ensure visibility into the end outcome of products at their end of life, which could significantly improve recycling rates.
EPR, as a policy approach, holds the power to radically alter the textile industry's relationship with waste management and sustainability. By making manufacturers accountable for their products' environmental footprints throughout their life cycle, EPR stands to reduce waste, bolster resource efficiency, and champion the circular economy.
But it's important to remember that EPR isn't a cure-all for the textile industry's environmental challenges. Implementing a successful EPR strategy requires a shared commitment from manufacturers, consumers, and regulators. It also hinges on a robust data framework for gauging performance and driving improvements.
The road to implementation may be arduous, with many technical and logistical considerations to be ironed out, so industry groups are advocating for a two-year timeframe for the proposed Responsible Textile Recovery Act. This period will be instrumental in addressing concerns, drawing insights from existing EPR programs, and setting the stage for a more sustainable future in the textile industry.
About Diversys
Diversys is proud to have its roots in Ontario, Canada - a province widely recognized for its leadership in EPR and sustainability. Since 2019, we've been dedicated to creating innovative software solutions that drive progress toward a world without waste.
Our story is a testament to the power of hard work, customer loyalty, and big ideas. We are committed to empowering organizations with the waste recycling software solutions necessary for achieving a sustainable future. Our cutting-edge software platform is helping organizations achieve their ESG goals, meet reporting obligations, and improve operational efficiency for their recycling programs.
Our commitment to delivering world-class solutions that drive meaningful progress towards waste reduction and a more sustainable future is unwavering. Our team of industry experts is ready to help you navigate the rapidly-evolving waste management landscape as we progress toward a circular economy.
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