A pioneering textile-recycling bill SB 707 has successfully passed the California Assembly Natural Resources Committee (US). Known as the Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024, this legislation establishes a comprehensive Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programme.

Under this programme, producers will be required to implement and fund initiatives aimed at facilitating the reuse, repair, and recycling of clothing and textile fibres, the California State Senate said in a press release.

It also supports ongoing state efforts to encourage the repair and reuse of clothing and textiles. SB 707 is expected to drive a transition towards a sustainable, market-aligned, and circular economy for textiles.

In addition to its environmental benefits, the bill will strengthen the ability of thrift stores and charities to manage unsellable garments. It will combat textile waste by incentivising the use of more sustainable and easier-to-recycle materials.

In 2021, approximately 1.2 million tons of textiles were disposed of in California. Despite 95 per cent of textiles being reusable or recyclable, only 15 per cent are currently recycled or reused.

The Central Park (NY, US) is testing out a new recycling bin designed to easily fit cardboard pizza boxes. It will alleviate some of the trash pileup in the park’s round canisters.

Biotech start-up PlantSea (UK) has developed a new material made from seaweed-derived fibres, blended with recycled and virgin paper fibres. The paper is home and industrially compostable and can be recycled through a standard paper mill.

Sports company PUMA says it has produced an experimental sneaker that is compostable under certain tailor-made industrial conditions following two years of research.

Aimplas turns poultry feather waste into sustainable foams suitable for hydroponic crop systems.

After announcing proposals to manufacture LEGO® bricks from recycled PET in 2021, the toy giant has shelved the plans after finding using the material did not reduce carbon emissions. The move, which was first reported in The Financial Times, comes after the Danish company unveiled a prototype LEGO® brick made from recycled plastic in 2021.