Textile Circular Economy: Policy Options for the U.S.

People use and throw away textiles, like clothes, more than ever before. Increases in textile waste raise concerns globally about consumption and environmental effects.

Some U.S. states and other countries are implementing policies to develop a textile circular economy where reuse, repair, and recycling keep textiles in use longer. This could create new jobs but currently doesn't have much funding or infrastructure.

Our report looks at policy options to support this, such as:

Requiring industry to be responsible for managing textile waste

Removing sales tax on secondhand apparel

Using tax credits to incentivize industry involvement

Textile Repair Company for Outdoor Gear in the U.S.

People repairing outdoor textile apparel at tables with sewing machines, fabric, work lights, and various hand tools.

Developing a textile circular economy includes repairing, reusing, and recycling textiles and making them last longer.

Example of a Circular Economy for Textiles

In the U.S., a textile circular economy may create potential benefits and involve challenges, according to reports by federal agencies and organizations and stakeholder interviews. Potential benefits could include creating new jobs and markets related to textile repair and recycling, reducing environmental harm, and changing consumer practices. Challenges could include limited funding and domestic infrastructure for nationwide textile collection and recycling efforts.

GAO identified a number of policy options—based on relevant literature, site visits, and interviews with 49 stakeholders in the public and private sectors—that federal and state policymakers can consider if the U.S. chooses to develop a textile circular economy. Two of the options are: