While California produces 200 million pounds of premium cotton annually, the majority is shipped overseas for processing, stripping the U.S. of an estimated $21.44 billion in value-added manufacturing and over 14,000 potential jobs. On May 29th, San Joaquin County will take center stage in the effort to bring that value back home.
The California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC), in partnership with the San Joaquin County Public Works Department and funded by CalRecycle, will host a free Textile Recovery Education Event from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the San Joaquin County Robert J. Cabral Agricultural Center on May 29th, 2026.
This event marks a critical opportunity for the San Joaquin Valley following the 2024 passage of SB 707 (The Responsible Textile Recovery Act). This landmark law, sponsored by CPSC, makes California the first state in the nation to require textile producers to fund and manage the recycling of their products creating an immediate need for domestic textile infrastructure.
鈥淪an Joaquin County is proving the circular economy isn’t just a theory鈥攊t鈥檚 a local industry,鈥� said Joanne Brasch, PhD, Director of Advocacy at CPSC. 鈥淏y microfunding nine diverse textile projects, the County is investing in repair, reuse, and diversion businesses. This is the infrastructure California needs to meet the demands of our new textile recovery laws.鈥�
San Joaquin County is a critical link in California鈥檚 circular economy, serving as a state-designated Recycling Market Development Zone (RMDZ). This CalRecycle-funded program empowers the region to transform waste into wealth through low-interest loans and technical expertise.
鈥淚t鈥檚 wonderful to see more programs at the County level like this that effectively reach into the community and make an impact,鈥� said Elazar Abraham, Executive Director at HATCH Workshop. 鈥淭his project was able to directly contribute to our region鈥檚 ability to mend and repair clothes and keep unusable fabrics out of the waste streams! Thanks to San Joaquin County!鈥�