Los Angeles textile recovery pilot diverts 1,000 pounds of waste

The Los Angeles Sanitation and Environment Department (LASAN) has announced it has successfully diverted more than 1,000 pounds of cotton waste from landfills through a textile recovery pilot program to “upcycle” discarded fabric scraps, The Eastsider reports.

The program, which launched in 2020, works with commercial partners to turn discarded scraps from businesses into new clothing, bags and other items.

“At the city, we are working every day to build a greener Los Angeles,” says Barbara Romero, LASAN general manager. “Fabric waste from businesses makes up an estimated 6 percent of Los Angeles’ total waste that gets sent to landfills. Through our innovative pilot program, we are successfully removing this waste from landfills and recycling it in order to combat greenhouse gas emissions and improve our local environment.”

The second phase of the pilot program, which recently completed, saw the recycling of more than 1,000 pounds of cotton waste into new cotton shirts set to be released by the brand Outerknown in early 2025. The program has also established partnerships with the California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC), a network of local governments, non-governmental organizations, businesses and individuals supporting policies and projects that promote producer responsibility for product end-of-life management.

“This pilot project was a proof of concept for brands to source textile waste from L.A. for upcycled and recycled-content products,” says CPSC Director of Advocacy Joanne Brasch. “This is especially important for the upcoming large events like FIFA 2026, Superbowl 2027 and the LA28 Olympics.”

The LASAN pilot program organizers say they encourage interested brands seeking fibers, yarn and fabrics made from L.A.-sourced fabric waste to join the next phase of the pilot.