The State of Textile EPR Legislation in the U.S.
by Sara Osorio, Environmental, Health and Safety Affairs Coordinator Feb 9, 2026

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation is expanding across the U.S., and textiles are increasingly being discussed as the next major product category for EPR policy action. While most enacted EPR programs today focus on packaging, electronics, batteries, paint, and other consumer goods, textile waste is drawing growing attention due to landfill impacts, limited recycling infrastructure, and rising public pressure for circularity.

EPR laws generally aim to make brands and other producers responsible for end-of-life management, including the development and funding of collection systems, sorting operations, reuse and recycling pathways, and consumer education programs. If adopted more broadly, textile EPR could create new pressures and opportunities across the supply chain for print service providers working in apparel decoration, fabric printing, soft signage, and promotional textiles. Companies can expect increased demand for product material transparency, including fiber content, blends, trims, and coatings, as well as improved documentation and reporting related to volumes placed on the market and reuse or recycling outcomes, along with stronger substantiation for sustainability claims.

California is currently leading the way as the first state in the U.S. to pass a textile EPR law, with New York and Washington states considering similar legislation.

Below is a review of the key requirements that apparel decorators need to know:

California – SB 707

  • Covered Materials (this is not an exhaustive list)
    • Apparel and Accessories: clothing, undergarments, scarves, socks, footwear, handbags and backpacks
    • Household Textiles: blankets, curtains, towels, bedding, napkins, and table linens
    • Other: knitted and woven materials
  • The producer is usually the brand owner (or whoever owns the logo/name on the product).
  • Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) applications were due January 1, 2026.
  • CalRecycle will approve a PRO in March 2026
  • Producers must register with the PRO by July 1, 2026.
  • PRO will complete an initial needs assessment by March 2027.
  • Earliest possible implementation is July 1, 2028.

Signaling momentum for textile EPR policy, New York and Washington have already introduced legislation this year. In New York, Senate Bill 3217 would require textile producers to submit and implement state-approved plans for collection, reuse, recycling, and disposal of covered products. This would include setting up free and convenient take-back programs and reporting performance metrics to the Department of Environmental Conservation by specified deadlines.

Similarly, Washington’s House Bill 1420 proposes a statewide EPR framework that would obligate producers to form or join a PRO responsible for managing the collection, repair, reuse, and recycling of textile products. The bill proposes phased implementation and performance targets for sorting and end-of-life processing.

The growing focus on textile waste means that companies across the textile, apparel, and decorated product supply chain should prepare for a steadily growing regulatory focus on end-of-life accountability, data transparency, and design-for-circularity. PRINTING United Alliance will continue monitoring legislative developments in California and emerging proposals in states like New York and Washington. Updates will provide members with practical guidance to help anticipate compliance requirements, assess operational impacts, and stay positioned for new customer demands related to labeling, documentation, and sustainability performance reporting.

In this article, Sara Osorio, Coordinator, EHS Affairs, PRINTING United Alliance, discusses textile EPR state laws. More information on sustainability can be found at Business Excellence-EHS Affairs, or reach out to Sara directly if you have questions about how these issues may affect your business: sosorio@printing.org. To become a member of the Alliance and learn more about how our subject matter experts can assist your company with services and resources such as those mentioned in this article, please contact the Alliance membership team: 888-385-3588 / membership@printing.org.

Our editorial content is edited and approved by humans. While staff may use AI tools in the brainstorming or research stage to generate ideas, provide background context, or suggest phrasing, humans always verify facts, evaluate context, and make final decisions. We may also use AI to enhance user experiences (e.g., creating summaries or SEO suggestions), but any such output is reviewed by humans and, when appropriate, labeled as AI-assisted.

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Sara Osorio Environmental, Health and Safety Affairs Coordinator
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Sara Osorio is the Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Affairs Coordinator at PRINTING United Alliance. Her primary responsibility is to assist members with EHS regulatory compliance, sustainability, and EHS consulting. Sara also monitors the EHS regulatory activities at the federal and state-level that impact the printing industry including those occurring at Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), the Department of Transportation (DOT), and other agencies. She develops guidance material for members, gives presentations, and writes articles on EHS regulations and sustainability issues. She also supports the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership and Alliance members in their efforts to certify printing operations in sustainable manufacturing.

Sara received a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies from Florida International University and is pursuing and Master of Science in Sustainable Management from the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay.

Speaking Topics:

  • Regulatory compliance and sustainability
  • Webinars on a wide variety of EHS related topics
  • Customized seminars and workshops
  • Employee training on safety and environmental compliance

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