US Congress Launches Slow Fashion Caucus to Combat Fast Fashion Waste and Pollution
Members of the US Congress have come together to create the Congressional Slow Fashion Caucus, an initiative aimed at introducing climate-smart policies to reduce, repair, rewear, and recycle textiles. This groundbreaking caucus is the first of its kind in the US, dedicated to addressing the environmental and social issues caused by the fast fashion industry.
The caucus was founded by Maine Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, Washington Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, and California Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove. They have garnered support from major players in the sustainable fashion industry, including Patagonia, ThredUp, Remake, and The RealReal.
“As lawmakers, we can create incentives for the fashion industry and consumers to reduce natural resource consumption and engage in reusing, repairing, rewearing, and recycling textiles,” Pingree said during her speech at Capitol Hill. “This could include policies that make it easier to rewear clothing, or renting rather than purchasing an outfit. We also need to support textile reuse and recycling infrastructure to better collect and manage discarded textiles.”
Objectives and Proposals
The Caucus aims to curb waste and pollution generated by the fast fashion industry through several targeted initiatives:
- Local Production: Encouraging sustainable fiber and textile production within the US to reduce environmental impact and create well-paying American jobs.
- Rewear Incentives: Implementing policies that promote the reuse of clothing and encourage renting rather than buying new items.
- Recycling Infrastructure: Building robust textile reuse and recycling systems to manage discarded textiles effectively.
- Circular Economy Policies: Developing policies similar to those in the EU to foster a circular economy within the fashion industry.
- Public Awareness: Enhancing public awareness about sustainable fashion practices.
- Federal Agency Initiatives: Expanding federal agency programs to further support textile sustainability, contributing to the government’s mission to reduce US greenhouse gas emissions by 50 to 52 percent by 2030.
Industry Support
The launch of the Slow Fashion Caucus has been welcomed by fashion industry representatives, including the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA). The AAFA praised the initiative, stating, “We are a global industry with global impact, and sustainability solutions are going to require global effort and coordination too. It is imperative that the US approach this work through a Federal lens, drawing upon the efforts already underway by stakeholders across the industry and policy community.”
ThredUp’s Chief Legal Officer, Alon Rotem, also expressed support, adding, “There is a dire need for public policy to help us accelerate the transition to a more sustainable future, just like it has for energy and vehicles. The launch of the Slow Fashion Caucus gives us a powerful new platform to forge ahead.”
Moving Forward
The Congressional Slow Fashion Caucus represents a significant step forward in the fight against fast fashion waste and pollution. By leveraging the support of industry leaders and policymakers, the Caucus aims to create a more sustainable fashion future for generations to come.
