Starting in 2026, the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation will launch a statewide public education program. This initiative will include:
Beginning January 1, 2028, all private entities engaged in textile collection must report annual tonnage figures to DEM. These reports will inform statewide recycling benchmarks, which may be updated annually.
The DEM will develop statewide textile recycling regulations, publicly available by June 1, 2026. These rules will establish benchmark goals to minimize textile waste in landfills while ensuring compliance through possible fines or penalties.
With Rhode Island’s only landfill expected to reach full capacity by 2046, legislators are emphasizing textile waste reduction as a crucial environmental priority. The state joins a growing list of jurisdictions enhancing post-consumer textile recovery and corporate recycling responsibilities, aligning with national initiatives such as the STEWARD Act.
As businesses and municipalities adjust to the new requirements, textile recycling infrastructure is expected to expand, offering potential opportunities for innovation in upcycling and sustainable fabric repurposing.
