Organizations highlight the importance of SB 707 in building a circular textile economy and reducing landfill waste

ROCKVILLE, MD and SANTA ANA, CA - March 2, 2026 - The Association of California Goodwills (ACG) together with Goodwill Industries International (GII) commend CalRecycle for its leadership in advancing implementation of the Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024 (SB 707), including the selection of Landbell USA as the Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) that will develop the state's system of textile recovery, reuse, repair and recycling. The announcement of the PRO marks an essential milestone toward building a comprehensive, statewide approach to reducing textile waste and expanding opportunities for reuse, repair, and recycling.

The Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024 (commonly referred to as CA SB 707), the first extended producer responsibility law for textiles in the U.S., brings manufacturers and brands into the full lifecycle of the products they create. The law will require producers selling textile goods in California to register with the PRO by July 2026 and contribute to the state's recovery and recycling infrastructure, helping divert millions of pounds of material from landfills and supporting a more circular economy. The law also recognizes the importance of nonprofit resellers in textile circularity.

The need for action is clear. Textile waste is outpacing the growth of every major category of waste in the U.S., with well over 17 million tons of textiles entering the domestic waste stream annually, according to the U.S. EPA. In California alone, 1.2 million tons of textiles are discarded annually, CalRecycle reports.

Goodwill, a network of local nonprofits across the U.S. and Canada, keeps more than 4.4 billion pounds of goods in circulation each year. All of the Goodwill organizations across California have united through ACG in support of SB 707. With 94% of Californians living within 10 miles of a Goodwill donation site, Goodwill is uniquely positioned to support textile circularity through collection, reuse, upcycling, remanufacturing, and recycling.

"The Goodwill mission has always been rooted in leveraging the value of used goods to strengthen communities. As California comes together to keep textiles in circulation and out of landfills, Goodwill organizations across the state are poised to work with key stakeholders to build a system that benefits both people and the planet," said Steve Preston, president and CEO of GII.

"Goodwill has spent decades keeping goods in use and out of landfills, but the scale of today's textile waste crisis requires collective action. SB 707 is a critical step forward, and we look forward to partnering with CalRecycle and Landbell USA to expand reuse and recycling opportunities as well as workforce development across the state," commented Nicole Suydam, president and CEO of Goodwill of Orange County (Santa Ana, CA) and chair of the Association of California Goodwills.

About the Association of California Goodwills

The Association of California Goodwills (ACG) represents 13 independent, community-based Goodwill organizations across the state of California. Together, these organizations advance Goodwill's mission of transforming lives through the power of work while serving millions of Californians each year through job training, employment placement, and essential community services.

ACG members operate hundreds of retail stores, donation centers, and reuse facilities that keep millions of pounds of goods in circulation and out of landfills annually.

By collaborating on statewide initiatives, policy priorities, and environmental sustainability efforts-including leadership in textile recovery, reuse, repair and recycling-ACG works to strengthen California's circular economy and expand opportunities for individuals and families to thrive.

About Goodwill Industries International

Goodwill works to enhance the quality of life of individuals and families by strengthening communities, building bridges to opportunity and helping people in need reach their potential through learning and the Power of Work®.

For nearly 125 years, Goodwill organizations across North America have helped people find jobs, support their families, and feel the satisfaction that comes from working. There are 150 local Goodwill organizations that assist people through a variety of employment placement services, job training programs, and other community-based services. Thousands of people receive employment and other human services through Goodwill, and, in 2024, the organization helped more than 2.1 million people build skills, access resources, and advance their careers.

Goodwill sells donated items in more than 3,400 retail and outlet stores in the U.S. and Canada as well as through online marketplaces. The revenue creates training programs and job placements to help people find work or advance their careers.

For more information or to find a Goodwill location near you, visit goodwill.org. Follow us on X/Twitter: @GoodwillIntl and Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube: @GoodwillIntl.