California’s Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024 (S.B. 707) has moved into its first implementation phase, introducing a mandatory registration deadline for textile producers under the state’s new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework.
Under the regulation, producers of covered textile products must register with Landbell USA, the state-approved Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO), by July 1. Failure to comply may result in enforcement actions, including administrative penalties of up to $50,000 per day, underscoring the state’s strict compliance approach.
S.B. 707 requires producers to finance and support a stewardship system designed to improve collection, reuse, repair, and recycling of textile waste across California. The initiative aims to significantly expand infrastructure and capacity for managing end-of-life textiles and advancing circular economy goals.
Landbell USA, part of Germany’s Landbell Group and operator of one of the early textile PRO systems in Europe, was approved by CalRecycle on February 27 to implement the program. The organisation will be responsible for developing a comprehensive stewardship plan covering system design, performance targets, reporting mechanisms, and funding structures.
As part of its preparatory work, Landbell USA has launched a statewide needs assessment to evaluate California’s existing textile recovery ecosystem. This includes mapping current infrastructure, funding flows, material pathways, and the capabilities of stakeholders involved in collection, sorting, reuse, repair, resale, and recycling.
The findings from this assessment will help shape the final program design and ensure alignment with California’s broader sustainability, waste reduction, and environmental justice objectives. The PRO has also encouraged participation from local governments, industry stakeholders, environmental organisations, and service providers to contribute data and insights during the planning phase.
With the July 1 deadline approaching, California’s textile EPR system marks a significant step toward formalising producer accountability and accelerating circular textile management across the state.
