It’s no secret that the fashion industry is responsible for an immense amount of textile waste and 10% of global carbon emissions. Fast fashion, in particular, counts on people buying with the quick trends and fashion crazes of the moment. Those garments are mass-produced at a low cost, meaning workers are often not paid a livable wage. And because it’s all based on “what’s in” right now, those garments often end up in a landfill after only a handful of wears.

Slowing Down on Fast Fashion

Aimed at addressing the issue, on June 27, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), ranking member of the House Appropriations Interior and Environment Subcommittee, alongside Reps. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.) and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.), announced the first Congressional Slow Fashion Caucus to “curb fast fashion pollution through climate-smart policies.”

With sustainable fashion leaders and stakeholders present on Capitol Hill for the launch event, Pingree stated:

“For too long, the so-called ‘fast fashion’ industry has been given free range to pollute our planet, exploit workers, and shortchange consumers. In fact, textile waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the United States and is responsible for more carbon emissions than all international flights and maritime shipping combined. The launch of our Slow Fashion Caucus marks a new era in the fight against climate change and sends a clear message that Congress will not stand by as the harmful fast fashion industry flies under the radar to destroy our planet. It doesn’t have to be this way. As lawmakers, we can create incentives for the apparel industry and consumers to reduce natural resource consumption and engage in reusing, repairing, rewearing, and recycling textiles. I am eager to get to work and thankful for the widespread support of sustainable style advocates, industry leaders, and, of course, my fellow members of Congress who are joining me in this new effort to rein in fast fashion pollution. This is just the beginning!”

Slow Fashion Caucus Principles

  • Incentivize the apparel industry to promote the reuse, repair, and recycling of textiles: The caucus believes the apparel industry has the power to be part of the solution. It feels public policy, including incentives for secondhand purchases or participation in rental models, can make it easier to do the right thing for the environment.
  • Develop “circular economy” policies to drive the apparel industry to reduce natural resource consumption: The caucus says circular economy prevents textiles from ending up in landfills and keeps materials in circulation by designing reusable, repairable, and recyclable products.
  • Promote textile reuse and recycling infrastructure: The caucus says existing textile collection, reuse, and recycling systems and infrastructure are not well established or supported.
  • Build public awareness of fast fashion’s environmental impact: According to the caucus, more education is needed around the impacts of fast fashion and ways to support a circular model.
  • Bring textile production back to the U.S.: As consumer demand for more sustainably made products rises and the economics of producing apparel outside the U.S. changes, the caucus sees a need to bring more textile production stages back to the U.S.
  • Support the use of more sustainable fibers: Looking to decrease environmental harm, the caucus says reducing the use of virgin materials and using more plant and animal-based fibers (cotton, flax, hemp, wool, and alpaca) can help.
  • Expand initiatives across federal agencies to encourage textile sustainability: While President Biden’s goal of reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and limiting global warming is a step in the right direction, the caucus believes existing government efforts can be further leveraged to curb fast fashion and promote sustainability.

Slow Fashion Caucus Endorsing Organizations

  • American Sheep Industry Association
  • Pennsylvania Fibershed
  • Apparel Impact
  • Remake
  • American Circular Textiles
  • Fibershed
  • Climate Reality Project
  • Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders
  • Industrial Commons
  • Goodwill of Northern New England
  • Patagonia
  • thredUp
  • Garment Worker Center
  • Helpsy
  • Kelly Dempsey
  • Accelerating Circularity
  • Custom Collaborative
  • The RealReal
  • L.L. Bean
  • Fibers Fund

“There is a dire need for public policy to help us accelerate the transition to a more sustainable future, just like it has for energy and vehicles. The launch of the Slow Fashion Caucus gives us a powerful new platform to forge ahead,” said Alon Rotem, chief legal officer of ThredUp.“We look forward to working with like-minded organizations and policymakers to advance the fashion policy agenda, change incentive structures to benefit our shared planet and resources, and ultimately create a more sustainable fashion future for generations to come.”

Find more information about the Congressional Slow Fashion Caucus here.