The STEWARD Act, recently introduced in the US, aims to significantly monitor and improve textile waste management as part of a broader recycling and sustainability initiative. Led by Chairman Shelley Moore Capito, ranking member Sheldon Whitehouse, and Senator John Boozman, the bill secured unanimous committee approval on 5 February 2025.
One of the bill’s key goals is to integrate textile waste into federal recycling frameworks that have historically overlooked this sector. American Circular Textiles (ACT) praised the legislative effort, noting that this initiative highlights the urgent need for data collection to address textile waste management at a national level. ACT sees this as an opportunity to develop circular strategies for the textile industry and build a more sustainable manufacturing ecosystem.
The STEWARD Act introduces new measures to modernize recycling infrastructure and accountability. It includes a Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Program, under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), providing grants to enhance recycling capabilities, particularly in rural and underserved areas. The program aims to reduce collection and transportation costs and improve curbside recycling initiatives.
Key to the bill is the data collection provision, which will track market trends, material processing rates, and landfill diversion efforts for textiles and other materials. This data-driven approach is a step forward in addressing textile waste challenges and providing a more transparent waste management framework.
The STEWARD Act has received wide-ranging support from various stakeholders, including corporations like PepsiCo, Unilever, and General Mills, as well as trade associations like the US Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers. These endorsements reflect the growing consensus on the importance of textile waste management and sustainability efforts.
The act could have a transformative impact on the US textile industry by creating infrastructure that supports textile recycling and encourages sustainable practices.
