California Introduces Bill to Regulate Fashion’s Environmental Impact

Californian lawmakers are pushing for a greener fashion industry.

Legislators have introduced a bill that would require brands to cut emissions in their supply chains and tighten chemical management. Known as the Fashion Act, the proposed regulation would apply to brands with over $100 million of global revenue selling in the state.

The fashion industry is facing similar regulatory efforts in New York and Massachusetts, even as the Trump administration has rolled back support for tougher environmental regulation at a federal level.

California is a major fashion market in its own right and has long been a frontrunner in efforts to establish greener policies in the US. Last year, it became the first state to take aim at tackling growing volumes of clothing waste, establishing a system that would require brands to pay to recycle old clothes. Last month’s devastating fires in LA drew further attention to the issue as emergency relief centres were inundated with unusable clothing donations.

“Textile waste is the fastest growing waste of our nation’s landfills driven by the rise of disposable ‘Trash Fashion,’” said Assemblymember Dawn Addis, the prime sponsor of the bill. “We’re facing a climate crisis, and the Fashion Act is common sense legislation to hold the industry accountable, reduce emissions, and tackle waste.”

Several brands, including Patagonia, Reformation and Stella McCartney are supporting the bill.

Learn more:

California Governor Signs Textile Recycling Bill into Law

The legislation will make brands responsible for establishing and funding a programme to collect and recycle old clothes.