Category: Press Releases

Press Releases

Textile Renewal Alliance PRO Launch

Nov 21

Textile Renewal Alliance Debuts Brand and Website to Support California’s Extended Producer Responsibility Law

Prospective Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) backed by the California Retailers Association, the American Apparel & Footwear Association and the National Retail Federation shares new resources and opportunities for engagement.

For immediate release

Sacramento, CA – November 3, 2025 – Textile Renewal Alliance, a 501(c)(3) formed to support all producers in meeting their obligations under applicable U.S. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws, today unveiled its brand identity and launched a new website at textilerenewalalliance.org.

This milestone marks a significant step toward potential designation of Textile Renewal Alliance as the Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) under California’s new EPR law for textiles, the Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024 (SB 707). The law requires

producers and importers of textiles to take responsibility for the end-of-life management of apparel and textile articles by joining and funding a PRO that will implement programs to ensure covered products are collected, repaired, reused, and recycled after use.

In July, the California Retailers Association, the American Apparel C Footwear Association and the National Retail Federation announced that they had signed a memorandum of understanding to form a prospective PRO and prepare to submit an application to the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle). CalRecycle

must approve a PRO by March 1, 2026, following a January 1, 2026 PRO application submission deadline.

In the lead-up to the application deadline, Textile Renewal Alliance has been engaging with producers and other organizations who currently play a role in textile recovery and management. The organization has provided educational resources and opportunities for stakeholders to contribute insights to PRO activities planned for 2026. This includes a recent open consultation on the PRO-led study of current textile collection and

management activities and opportunities in California. This study—known as a “needs assessment”—will be a top-priority activity for the PRO in 2026 and will determine the necessary program elements and investment needed to fulfill the law’s requirements.

Textile Renewal Alliance has also opened an application process for its California Implementation Working Group. This group is intended to reflect diverse perspectives

across the textile value chain and advise the Board of Directors on the design,

implementation, and continuous improvement of California’s textile EPR program, should Textile Renewal Alliance be selected as California’s textile PRO. Parties with experience in the textile recovery value chain, related environmental or social justice issues, or local government are encouraged to learn more about the application requirements and process at textilerenewalalliance.org.

Producers must register with the approved PRO by July 1, 2026. Textile Renewal Alliance encourages producers to assess compliance requirements and begin gathering data about products covered under SB 707, as described in the statute, in preparation for future obligations and reporting. All potential producers are encouraged to visit

textilerenewalalliance.org to sign up for a monthly newsletter and upcoming webinars which will cover producer obligations, compliance deadlines, and next steps in the implementation process.

Statements from Association Leaders:

“We are honored to support California’s ambitious climate goals through the first-in-the- nation textile EPR program and by providing a strong foundation for a PRO that will help all producers meet their obligations under SB 707,” said Rachel Michelin, President, California Retailers Association. “We encourage organizations involved in collecting, sorting, reuse, repair, recycling, or management of textiles in California to apply for the California Implementation Working Group to advance our shared success.”

“The National Retail Federation is working with our industry partners, producers, and

stakeholders in California to strengthen infrastructure for managing textiles in the state. Through Textile Renewal Alliance, we’re striving to create a producer-led stewardship system where textiles are used, reused, and recycled responsibly and thoughtfully,” said Stephanie Martz, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel, National Retail Federation.

“This is a critical milestone on the path to establishing a PRO that can support textile circularity in California and beyond. Textile Renewal Alliance has already become a resource to enable producer compliance, and we look forward to continued collaboration across the textile value chain in the months ahead,” said Steve Lamar, President & CEO, American Apparel & Footwear Association.

Media Contact: [email protected]

About the California Retailers Association

The California Retailers Association (CRA) is the only statewide trade association representing all segments of California’s retail industry, from general merchandise and department stores to online marketplaces, retail pharmacies, supermarkets, and specialty retailers. CRA is recognized for its effective advocacy and leadership on critical policy issues impacting retailers of all sizes, including public safety, environmental sustainability, workforce development, and regulatory reform. Through proactive engagement with

policymakers and industry stakeholders, CRA works to promote, preserve, and enhance the retail industry in the nation’s largest market, ensuring a vibrant business climate and supporting the millions of jobs retail provides across California.

About the National Retail Federation

The National Retail Federation (NRF) passionately advocates for the people, brands,

policies and ideas that help retail succeed. From its headquarters in Washington, D.C., NRF empowers the industry that powers the economy. Retail is the nation’s largest private- sector employer, contributing :5.3 trillion to annual GDP and supporting more than one in four U.S. jobs — 55 million working Americans. For over a century, NRF has been a voice for every retailer and every retail job, educating, inspiring and communicating the powerful

impact retail has on local communities and global economies.

About the American Apparel & Footwear Association

The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) is the national trade association representing apparel, footwear and other sewn products companies, and their suppliers, which compete in the global market. Representing more than 1,100 world famous name brands, AAFA is the trusted public policy and political voice of the apparel and footwear industry, its management and shareholders, its more than 3.c million U.S. workers, and its contribution of more than :523 billion in annual U.S. retail sales. AAFA drives progress on three key priorities: Brand Protection; Supply Chain & Sourcing; and Trade, Logistics, &

Manufacturing. AAFA approaches this work through the lens of purpose-driven leadership in a manner that supports each member’s ability to build and sustain inclusive and diverse cultures, meet and advance ESG goals, and draw upon the latest technology.

Press Releases

Textiles in California

Press Release California News, Nov 6

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Leading Retail, Apparel, and Footwear Associations Sign MOU to Form Producer Responsibility Organization for Textiles in California

The California Retailers Association, the American Apparel & Footwear Association and the National Retail Federation join forces to comply with California’s Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024

(SB 707)

Sacramento, CA – July 17, 2025 – The California Retailers Association, the American Apparel C Footwear Association and the National Retail Federation today announced that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly establish an independent, 501(c)(3) Producer Responsibility Organization dedicated to ensuring that apparel and textiles are diverted from landfills. The newly formed organization will collect, repair, reuse and recycle materials after use in compliance with California’s first-in-the-nation Extended Producer Responsibility law for textiles.

Signed into law in 2024, California’s SB 707 requires producers and importers of textiles to take responsibility for the end-of-life management by joining and funding a PRO. The PRO will develop and implement a plan to meet the requirements of the law, including the collection, transportation, repair, recycling and the safe and proper management of covered products. The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery must approve a PRO by March 1, 2026, following a January 1, 2026, PRO application deadline.

Collectively, the three associations represent thousands of businesses and potential

producers and are actively engaging obligated producers to ensure strong leadership for the organization. The MOU formalizes the intent of the three associations to:

  • Establish an independent, producer-led PRO to represent and ensure compliance of all producers of apparel and textile articles covered under SB 707.
  • Collaborate effectively across the textile value chain, engaging and involving manufacturers, brands, retailers, collectors, sorters, recyclers, repair businesses and other parties that will drive innovation and maximize program impact.
  • Prepare the PRO to develop and implement an effective stewardship program that meets all requirements of the law and strengthens collection, repair, reuse and recycling infrastructure.

Statements from Association Leaders

“California’s groundbreaking SB 707 positions our state as a national leader in responsible textile management. The California Retailers Association is proud to set the standard for innovation and collaboration in environmental sustainability. We are dedicated to guiding the implementation of this transformative law and to establishing a PRO that unites and empowers the wide array of producers selling textiles in California. Our commitment is to deliver real impact for our communities, our environment, and the future of retail in California,” said Rachel Michelin, President, California Retailers Association

“This partnership signals our industry’s commitment to collaborate in support of a circular transition. By bringing together diverse stakeholders from across our industry supply chain, we are launching an inclusive organization that is right for the California market and regulatory environment, establishing California as the standard for similar approaches nationwide,” said Steve Lamar, President s CEO, American Apparel s Footwear Association.

“Our associations have a shared commitment to ensuring the success of SB 707. Collectively, our members bring significant experience in PRO-building, EPR compliance and implementation to this effort. We look forward to working together to establish an organization that supports the entire producer community to meet the immediate needs in California and potential future needs if other states adopt similar approaches,”

said Stephanie Martz, Chief Administrative Officer and Legal Counsel, National Retail Federation.

The associations have begun the process of forming an independent 501(c)(3) PRO to meet all requirements under SB 707 and prepare for the application process. The PRO is expected to be operational in early 2026, with the initial focus on registering producers by

July 1, 2026. Additionally, it will conduct an initial statewide needs assessment to determine the necessary steps and investment needed to fulfill the law’s requirements and inform the program budget and plan.

The PRO will prioritize early outreach to producers and will engage with interested parties to lay the groundwork for implementation. Sign up to receive future communications and updates.

Media Contact: [email protected]

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About the National Retail Federation

The National Retail Federation (NRF) passionately advocates for the people, brands,

policies and ideas that help retail succeed. From its headquarters in Washington, D.C.,

NRF empowers the industry that powers the economy. Retail is the nation’s largest private- sector employer, contributing :5.3 trillion to annual GDP and supporting more than one in four U.S. jobs — 55 million working Americans. For over a century, NRF has been a voice for every retailer and every retail job, educating, inspiring and communicating the powerful impact retail has on local communities and global economies.

About the California Retailers Association

The California Retailers Association (CRA) is the only statewide trade association representing all segments of California’s retail industry, from general merchandise and department stores to online marketplaces, retail pharmacies, supermarkets, and specialty retailers. CRA is recognized for its effective advocacy and leadership on critical policy issues impacting retailers of all sizes, including public safety, environmental sustainability, workforce development, and regulatory reform. Through proactive engagement with policymakers and industry stakeholders, CRA works to promote, preserve, and enhance the retail industry in the nation’s largest market, ensuring a vibrant business climate and supporting the millions of jobs retail provides across California.

About the American Apparel & Footwear Association

The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) is the national trade association representing apparel, footwear and other sewn products companies, and their suppliers, which compete in the global market. Representing more than 1,100 world famous name brands, AAFA is the trusted public policy and political voice of the apparel and footwear industry, its management and shareholders, its more than 3.c million U.S. workers, and its contribution of more than :523 billion in annual U.S. retail sales. AAFA drives progress on three key priorities: Brand Protection; Supply Chain & Sourcing; and Trade, Logistics, &

Manufacturing. AAFA approaches this work through the lens of purpose-driven leadership in a manner that supports each member’s ability to build and sustain inclusive and diverse cultures, meet and advance ESG goals, and draw upon the latest technology.