Since 1960, textile waste generated in the United States has increased nearly tenfold, highlighting how dramatically clothing consumption has changed over the past several decades.
Today, California is rewriting the rules of fast fashion. Instead of asking consumers to figure out what to do with worn-out clothing, the state is requiring many apparel companies to help pay for collecting, repairing, reusing, and recycling the products they sell. Supporters say the Responsible Textile Recovery Act could dramatically reduce the millions of pounds of clothing that end up in landfills each year while encouraging brands to design garments that last longer. Although many of the law’s requirements won’t fully take effect until later this decade, companies are already preparing for sweeping changes that could reshape how Americans dispose of unwanted clothing. If California’s approach succeeds, experts believe other states could soon follow.
