California is debating requiring clothing recycling programs.
California state senator Josh Newman has introduced a bill to create a state-wide collection and recycling program for clothes.
Under SB 707, producers of clothing and other textiles will be required to implement and fund an extended producer responsibility (EPR) program.
Senator Newman said the fashion industry accounts for 10% of the world's carbon dioxide output and the industry revolves around low-cost, low-quality clothes that go out of style quickly.
Fibre2Fashion says the average U.S. consumer discards more than 81 pounds of clothing each year, an increase of 55% since the year 2000.
Even though 95% of the materials commonly found in textiles are either reusable or recyclable, the current share of used clothes and other textiles which are either reused or recycled in the U.S. remains at only approximately 15%.