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

What GAO Found 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: Developing a textile extended producer responsibility program: makes companies responsible for what happens to their products after use, along with other requirements. Creating tax credits related to a textile circular economy: reduces or offsets the amount of...