More than 30 small businesses sign-on in support of statewide clothing recycling program

33 small businesses from across California voice their support for tackling clothing waste by creating statewide clothing recycling program. You can read their letter below:

Dear Legislature,

On behalf of the undersigned small businesses, we support SB 707: Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024, to establish a comprehensive textile extended-producer responsibility (EPR) program. 

Too many companies profit from overproducing textile articles, encouraging over-consumption and rapid trend cycles that result in significant clothing waste; 30% of globally produced clothing is never sold or worn, instead ending up in landfills or incinerated. California alone disposed of nearly 1.2 million metric tons of textiles in 2018. Most worn clothes have a short lifespan, as big producers prioritize quantity over quality. 

Companies need to be held accountable for their waste. Right now, taxpayers are paying for the cost of this waste management. Californians have demonstrated that they want to be conscientious consumers. As small businesses, we want to align our brands with values that resonate with Californians. 

California has a long history of learned experiences with EPR and an opportunity to make a global impact by establishing a first-of-its kind EPR program for textiles that builds on the precedent set in the state by other EPR programs. There is currently only one textile EPR program that exists in the entire world. It’s up to California, a top global waste generator, to take impactful actions to address textile waste and set the stage as a center for sustainable fashion. The Responsible Textile Recovery Act will do this by requiring businesses with $1 million in revenues annually to create and fund a program for collecting and recycling all apparel and textile waste in California. 

For these reasons, we support SB 707 and appreciate your leadership on this critical issue. 

Sincerely, 

Slash Denim
Berkeley, CA 94705

One Way
Los Angeles, CA 90069

Jet Rag
Los Angeles, CA 90038

Alocs
Los Angeles, CA 90046

COPNFLEX
Los Angeles, CA 90046

Shoe Whore
Los Angeles, CA 90046

Cosmo & Donato
Los Angeles, CA 90046

RCNSTRCT
Los Angeles, CA 90046

Le Joli
Los Angeles, CA 90046

Style Delivers
Los Angeles, CA 90046

FOXBLOOD
Los Angeles, CA 90046

Baby Fangs
Los Angeles, CA 90046

Crossroads Trading (Melrose Ave Location)
Los Angeles, CA 90046

Ty Stephano
Los Angeles, CA 90046

Detoure
Los Angeles, CA 90046

Vintage Tees
Los Angeles, CA 90046

It Girl World
Los Angeles, CA 90046

World Plus
Los Angeles, CA 90046

In Full Swing
Oakland, CA 94618

Bluza Boutique
San Diego, CA 92101

Ceiba
San Francisco, CA 94117

Piedmont Boutique
San Francisco, CA 94117

Derby of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA 94117

Everdaze
San Francisco, CA 94117

Decades of Fashion
San Francisco, CA 94117

Cary Lane
San Francisco, CA 94117

Cal Surplus
San Francisco, CA 94117

Blue Bin Vintage
San Francisco, CA 94117

Haight St Vintage
San Francisco, CA 94117

Relic Vintage
San Francisco, CA 94117

The Bus Stop Vintage
Sacramento, CA 95816

The Pomegranate Boutique
Sacramento, CA 95816

Wild Poppy
Sacramento, CA 95816