Waste Regulations Incentivizing Reuse and Recycling of Medical Textiles in California
Main Article Content
Abstract
Medical textiles—including linens, scrubs, towels, and gowns—are essential in clinical settings but contribute significantly to healthcare’s environmental footprint. California’s Senate Bill 707 (SB 707, Newman, 2024) establishes the first textile Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program in the United States, requiring manufacturers to fund and operate collection, repair, and recycling systems for covered textiles. This article, authored by the bill’s sponsor, outlines the scientific, stakeholder, and legislative processes that shaped SB 707, with particular focus on its implications for healthcare. Through pilot programs and fiber audits, findings showed that most discarded medical textiles are reusable or recyclable yet lack adequate collection, repair, and reuse distribution infrastructure. The policy is designed to reduce costs, improve supply chain resilience, and lower climate and public health impacts—without placing additional burden on healthcare providers. Hospitals and healthcare facilities can participate in the EPR program at no cost and are encouraged to support implementation by identifying eligible products, hosting collection sites, and advocating for reuse and repair within their systems.
Article Details
How to Cite
BRASCH, Joanne; KOBOLD, Doug; KLEIN, Ryan.
Waste Regulations Incentivizing Reuse and Recycling of Medical Textiles in California.
Medical Research Archives, [S.l.], v. 13, n. 6, june 2025.
ISSN 2375-1924.
Available at: <https://esmed.org/MRA/mra/article/view/6624>. Date accessed: 15 july 2025.
doi: https://doi.org/10.18103/mra.v13i6.6624.
Section
Research Articles
The Medical Research Archives grants authors the right to publish and reproduce the unrevised contribution in whole or in part at any time and in any form for any scholarly non-commercial purpose with the condition that all publications of the contribution include a full citation to the journal as published by the Medical Research Archives.
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2. Kang J, Kilpatrick C. Disposable and Reusable Medical Textiles. Encyclopedia of Biomedical Engineering. 2019:382-393. Accessed March 10, 2025.
3. Daniels M, Priefer R. Medical Waste Proper Disposal and Techniques - A Review of Multiple Devices. Medical Research Archives. 2020;8(12). doi:https://doi.org/10.18103/mra.v8i12.2266
4. Rucker MH, Brasch JE, Haise CL. Textile Products and Prevention of Hospital Acquired Infections: Understanding the Hospital Perspective. Journal of Medical Marketing: Device, Diagnostic and Pharmaceutical Marketing. 2011;11(2):156-164. doi:https://doi.org/10.1057/jmm.2011.2
5. Vozzola E, Overcash M, Griffing E. Life Cycle Assessment of Reusable and Disposable Cleanroom Coveralls. PDA Journal of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology. 2018;72(3):236-248.
6. Patel A, D’Alessandro MM, Ireland KJ, Burel WG, Wencil EB, Rasmussen SA. Personal Protective Equipment Supply Chain: Lessons Learned from Recent Public Health Emergency Responses. Health Security. 2017;15(3):244-252. doi:https://doi.org/10.1089/hs.2016.0129
7. United States Government Accountability Office. Textile Waste: Federal Entities Should Collaborate on Reduction and Recycling Efforts. GAO-25-107165. Published December 2024. Accessed March 10, 2025. https://files.gao.gov/reports/GAO-25-107165/index.html?_gl=1
8. der Klink M van, Demirel P. Implementing Reusable Medical Textiles in NHS Operating Theatres: Barriers and Enablers. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2025;491:144852. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2025.144852
9. Legrand W. Sustainability-Driven Legislation - Setting the Right Conditions for Hospitality? A Review of Viewpoints | by Willy Legrand. Hospitality Net. Published March 29, 2021. https://www.hospitalitynet.org/opinion/4103666.html
10. European Commission. Waste Framework Directive. European Commission. Published 2022. https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/waste-and-recycling/waste-framework-directive_en
11. OECD. OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment and Footwear Sector. OECD; 2018. doi: https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264290587-en
12. National Conference of State Legislators. Learning the Game. Published 2021. https://www.ncsl.org/legislative-staff/civics-education/learning-the-game
13. California Product Stewardship Council. SB 707 (Newman) Coalition Letter of Support. Published online September 3, 2024. Accessed March 10, 2025. https://www.calpsc.org/_files/ugd/ad724e_551ac66093d34d868ac8d995637cfc53.pdf
14. CalRecycle. 2018 Disposal-Facility-Based Characteri-zation of Solid Waste in California.; 2020. Accessed March 10, 2025. https://www2.calrecycle.ca.gov/Publications/Details/1666
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17. California Product Stewardship Council. GreenWaste Textile Waste Audit Report.; 2023. Accessed March 10, 2025. https://www.calpsc.org/_files/ugd/ad724e_479ccd204c954416bc781acad35fd4ea.pdf
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19. California Product Stewardship Council. Castro Valley Sanitary District Textile Waste Audit Report.; 2025. Accessed March 10, 2025. https://www.calpsc.org/_files/ugd/ad724e_b44214e4e9c44de58dcadb204361b52b.pdf
20. California Product Stewardship Council, LA Sanitation and Environment, City of Los Angeles. City of Los Angeles textile recovery project phase 2 final report. 2024. Accessed March 10, 2025. https://www.calpsc.org/_files/ugd/ad724e_f9b3259b070840a1871c2b3ceb55dc5c.pdf
21. California Product Stewardship Council, LA Sanitation and Environment, City of Los Angeles. City of Los Angeles Textile Recovery Project Phase 2 Final Report.; 2024. Accessed March 10, 2025. https://www.calpsc.org/_files/ugd/ad724e_f9b3259b070840a1871c2b3ceb55dc5c.pdf
22. Guide Des Eco-Modulations 2025. 2025 Eco-Modulations Guide. Accessed May 8, 2025. https://refashion.fr/pro/sites/default/files/fichiers/guide_eco-modulations_FR_refashion_2025_vdef.pdf.
23. Periyasamy AP. Microfiber Emissions from Functionalized Textiles: Potential Threat for Human Health and Environmental Risks. MDPI. April 24, 2023. Accessed May 8, 2025. https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/11/5/406.
24. Siddiqui S, Hutton SJ, Dickens JM, Pedersen EI, Harper SL, Brander SM. Natural and Synthetic Microfibers Alter Growth and Behavior in Early Life Stages of Estuarine Organisms. Frontiers. May 8, 2025. Accessed May 8, 2025. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2022.991650/full.
25. Ruiz A. CARE Grants Accelerate Innovation, Expand Recycling and Collection - Waste Advantage Magazine. Waste Advantage Magazine. Published February 27, 2025. Accessed March 10, 2025. https://wasteadvantagemag.com/care-grants-accelerate-innovation-expand-recycling-and-collection/
26. Mattress Recycling Council. Mattress Recycling Council Advances Pocketed Coil Recycling Technology - Mattress Recycling Council | Recycling Programs in California, Connecticut & Rhode Island. Mattress Recycling Council. Published October 5, 2020. Accessed March 10, 2025. https://mattressrecyclingcouncil.org/mrc-advances-pocketed-coil-recycling-technology/
27. Graczyk H, Azzi M, Mandrioli D. Exposure to hazardous chemicals at work and resulting health impacts: A global review. International Labour Organization. July 30, 2024. Accessed May 19, 2025. https://www.ilo.org/publications/exposure-hazardous-chemicals-work-and-resulting-health-impacts-global.
28. Negri E, Bravi F, Catalani S, et al. Health effects of living near an incinerator: a systematic review of epidemiological studies, with focus on last generation plants. Environmental Research. 2020;184:109305. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2020.109305