The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has been urged by the Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association (SMART) to address the limitations placed on US exports of used apparel.
SMART highlighted in its formal comments to the USTR that more and more nations are imposing limitations or complete prohibitions on these vital exports. According to the group, this practice hurts not just the US textile recycling sector but also the availability of reasonably priced apparel worldwide. Secondhand clothes exports are a key part of the circular economy, according to SMART, which represents companies engaged in textile collecting, reuse, and recycling.
According to SMART, the industry keeps around four billion pounds of textiles out of landfills each year, supporting charitable causes, creating jobs, and improving environmental conservation initiatives.
In addition to harming US companies, unjust trade restrictions on used apparel also make it more difficult for poor nations to find reasonably priced apparel, according to Jessica Franken, director of legislative affairs for SMART. These obstacles impede economic prospects in the communities that depend on these products and threaten the circular economy.
In its communication, the group identified particular trade barriers imposed by nations like El Salvador, Argentina, and East African Community (EAC) members.
