A PRO steps up in California
05/11/2025
The Textile Renewal Alliance has been established by the California Retailers Association, the American Apparel & Footwear Association, and the National Retail Federation. It will be submitting its application by January 1st, 2026 to the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), which has three months to take a decision.
PROs collect fees from producers and importers of textile goods to cover for the cost of their disposal (or renewal) at end of use. These are usually modulated, meaning that if a product is made from recycled content, it will benefit from lower fees.
In preparation for its future role, should it be chosen as the state’s PRO for textiles, the alliance has commissioned a study on current textile collection and management activities and opportunities in California. This report will help shape the final design of the programme.
Brands and retailers have some time to prepare before implementation. Next year (2026) will be dedicated to the selection of a PRO and producers will be asked to register their activities. The following year, 2027, will be spent designing the programme. The specific contours of the eco-regulation should be officialised by CalRecycle in 2028. Another 12 months will be needed before their final approval, which means that producer fees won’t be levied before 2030.
California is the first US state to enact an EPR for textiles. The state of New York is preparing one that is inscribed on the 2025-2026 legislative session agenda. Known as Senate Bill S3217A, it is currently in discussion by a Senate committee.
Photo by Alejo Reinoso via Unsplash
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