The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has thrown its support behind the Responsible Textile Recovery Act, a new legislative proposal aimed at addressing the alarming rate of textile waste. In the United States alone, approximately 17 million tons of textile waste are generated each year, with less than 15% being recycled, while the remaining 85% ends up in landfills. The Act seeks to curb this by implementing measures that enhance the recovery, recycling, and repurposing of apparel and footwear products.
The Responsible Textile Recovery Act introduces specific targets, including a 50% reduction in textile waste by 2030 and a 90% reduction by 2050. To achieve these goals, the Act encourages stakeholders across the apparel supply chain to adopt sustainable practices such as the expansion of textile recycling programs, the use of recyclable materials in production, and the development of advanced technologies for material recovery. It also proposes financial incentives for companies that meet or exceed the Act’s benchmarks.
AAFA’s endorsement of the Act reflects its commitment to driving change within the industry. Steve Lamar, President and CEO of AAFA, noted that with over 150 billion garments produced globally each year, industry collaboration is essential to tackling textile waste. The AAFA plans to actively engage with policymakers, industry leaders, and consumers to support the Act’s implementation and promote a shift towards a circular economy.
The AAFA’s pledge to support the Responsible Textile Recovery Act is a significant move towards reducing the environmental impact of the fashion industry and addressing the growing challenge of textile waste on a global scale.
