Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association (SMART) Applauds the Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board (SWAB) for Holding Stakeholder Meeting on New York Fashion Act and Textiles EPR Bill

April 24, 2024 – Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association (SMART) Applauds the Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board (SWAB) for Holding Stakeholder Meeting on New York Fashion Act and Textiles EPR Bill

The Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board and Shamann Productions organized a stakeholder meeting in New York City on April 10, with the intention of bringing a range of stakeholders together to discuss the New York Fashion Act and the state’s pending EPR for textiles bill.

The keynote address featured Marisa Adler, Senior Consultant, RRS and a SMART board of director, who underscored the urgent need for policy interventions to tackle textile waste and promote circularity within the industry. As a respected figure in solid waste management, Ms. Adler’s insights set the stage for robust discussions.

SMART’s Government Affairs Director, Jessica Franken of The Franken Group, participated in a recent meeting where Assemblywoman Dr. Anna Kelles (D, District 125), the primary proponent of the Fashion Sustainability and Social Accountability Act (‘Fashion Act’) in the New York Assembly, presented its significant provisions.

SMART members in attendance at the meeting included Eric Stubin, Principal & CEO, Trans-Americas Trading Co. and Miglena Minkova, Development Manager and Government Relations Manager, Green Team.

Senator Brian Kavanagh (D, District 27), the primary sponsor of the New York EPR for textiles bill (S 6654/A 8078) in the New York Senate, had originally planned to participate in the meeting and provide insights on the legislation. However, due to urgent negotiations in Albany, Sen. Kavanagh was unable to attend. In his absence, Assemblywoman Kelles, who introduced the bill in her chamber, offered provided an overview of the legislation.

The concluding session featured insights from a panel of service providers, offering tangible steps for immediate action in anticipation of forthcoming legislation. Helpsy Co-founder and CEO, Dan Green, delivered a comprehensive overview of the textile recycling landscape, including industry challenges and business strategies. 

Additional presenters included representatives from EON, a provider of digital ID technology; TOMRA, specializing in sensor-based sorting technologies for various materials, including textiles; and Closed Loop Partners, an investor group fostering circular economy startups, notably in the field of circular textiles.

“SMART applauds the Manhattan SWAB for assembling such a robust agenda covering these timely topics,” said Jessica Franken. “We are grateful to have had the chance to showcase our proactive engagement on the forthcoming EPR legislation for textiles in New York and to connect directly with the bills’ sponsors and other key stakeholders.”

About SMART

SMART is continuously working to educate and engage the public and local government officials about the importance of increasing clothing and textile reuse and recycling. The benefit of these educational outreach and engagement efforts is gaining momentum throughout the nation.

Established in 1932, SMART is a recycling-based, international, nonprofit trade association comprised of for profit used clothing, wiping material and fiber industry companies. SMART members use and convert recycled and secondary materials from used clothing, commercial laundries and nonwoven, off spec material, new mill ends and paper from around the world. SMART member companies are committed to the “green” way of life.

SMART Leadership and its members are working to bring textile recycling into a circular economy.  SMART members continually trumpet their message to the donating and recycling public by encouraging them to “Donate, Recycle, Don’t Throw Away.”