The AAFA’s SVP of policy Nate Herman tells Just Style exclusively: “The AAFA is grateful that Senator Newman listened to concerns about the current draft raised by us and by other leaders in the textile circularity space, including Accelerating Circularity and the American Circular Textiles Group.”
The proposed bill aims to establish an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programme for apparel, textiles, and textile articles, thereby requiring apparel producers to take responsibility for the collection and recycling of their products.
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Earlier this month the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA), Accelerating Circularity Inc and American Circular Textiles, penned a letter to Assembly member Luz M Rivas, saying they had a “vested interest” in the success of SB707 and that it is critical it accomplishes what it sets out to achieve as the first-ever national EPR scheme.
However, the organisations were calling for it to be a two-year bill saying the additional time would also afford all stakeholders the ability to learn from both California’s own pilot textiles Extended Producer Responsibility programme passed last year, as well as ongoing efforts in the European Union to stand up a textiles Extended Producer Responsibility programme.
Following the decision to put the hearing on hold on Monday, Herman tells Just Style the additional time will afford all stakeholders the ability to be thoughtful and deliberate about crafting what will be “the first textile EPR programme in the US”.
He cites the example of California environment and climate protection organisation CalRecycle, which is currently extremely busy with efforts to implement the plastic packaging EPR programme passed last year, and adds: “Holding the bill until next year’s session makes sense.”
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By GlobalDataHe explains the AAFA looks forward to continuing to work with Senator Newman on a well-designed and effective programme.
Earlier this month (5 July) the EU Commission proposed rules aimed at making fashion brands and retailers responsible for the full lifecycle of textile products and will require them to financially support the sustainable management of textile waste across the EU.
