What’s Next for Sustainable Fashion?: The Instatement of the 119th Congress

From Capitol Hill to your closet, change is in the air—and it’s looking pretty green.

As the 119th Congress kicks off, potential environmental policies could significantly impact the fashion industry's sustainability efforts. Here’s a quick look at how federal action might reshape the future of fashion:

The 119th Congress is expected to prioritize waste management reform, with a focus on reducing the millions of tons of textiles that end up in U.S. landfills every year. One potential policy under discussion is the introduction of federal standards requiring textile recycling programs. 

Among the measures being considered are Extended Producer Responsibility policies, which would hold brands accountable for the full lifecycle of their products—from design to disposal.

For many brands, this would mean a significant shift in how they operate. Companies would need to consider the recyclability and durability of their garments at the design stage, ensuring products can be easily repaired, repurposed, or recycled. Moreover, EPR policies could mandate that brands take back their products after consumers no longer need them, providing options for repair, recycling, or resale.

Brands like H&M and Zara, with high turnover rates in their production cycles, will be forced to rethink their entire production models. Others like Eileen Fisher, with its Renew program for garment take-backs, could use its existing infrastructure to meet or exceed new federal standards, potentially influencing other mid-size brands to follow suit. For consumers, this might result in increased accessibility to textile drop-off points and incentives for recycling worn clothing.

What else? A bipartisan push for eco-friendly innovation includes the possibility of tax breaks or federal grants for companies investing in sustainable technologies. For the fashion industry, this could translate to financial support for adopting renewable energy in production facilities, waterless dyeing processes, or sustainable material sourcing, such as organic cotton and recycled polyester. Smaller, independent fashion brands that often struggle with the costs of transitioning to sustainable practices could benefit greatly from such initiatives, leveling the playing field in the industry.

However, this is not a new conversation. We know that this is a continuous and grueling effort in and out of congress. The Americas Trade and Investment Act, for example, has already motivated sustainable fashion movements. These initiatives demonstrate a collaborative effort across party lines to address the environmental challenges posed by the fashion industry, indicating a shared recognition of the need for sustainable reform. 

But the stakes have never been higher. With the 119th Congress placing a sharper focus on waste management, recycling programs, and accountability, we’re seeing the beginning of what could be a legislative makeover for the fashion world. 

Xoxo,

Annie