Watch the Recording: The Path to U.S. Textile Circularity: From Waste to Resource

More than 500 viewers joined the December 4 LinkedIn Live conversation on advancing responsible, resilient textile recovery.

On December 4, the National Stewardship Action Council (NSAC) and the Stewardship Action Foundation (SAF) hosted The Path to U.S. Textile Circularity: From Waste to Resource, a fast-paced LinkedIn Live featuring leaders from across the public, private and nonprofit sectors.

More than 500 viewers tuned in to explore what it will take to build a responsible, transparent and resilient system for textile reuse, recycling and recovery in the United States.

The event followed the December 3 announcement of the new National Textile Circularity Working Group, convened by NSAC and SAF to advance practical, scalable circularity solutions nationwide. The first convening of the working group will be held on December 15, 2025, featuring opening remarks from Washington State Rep. Kristine Reeves.

Already, the Textile Circularity Working Group has drawn participation and interest from Target, the American Apparel & Footwear Association, Reverse Logistics Group, Goodwill of Southern California, Goatote, the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) and a number of current NSAC and SAF members across the public, private and nonprofit sectors. These partners join NSAC and SAF’s growing membership of 120 organizations advancing circular solutions that work for people, economies and the planet.

Watch Now

Featured Speakers

Moderated by Stephanie Valentic of Resource Recycling, this conversation will explore emerging solutions, state-level momentum, systemwide challenges, and opportunities for collaboration across the value chain.

Panelists: 

• Amy Lestition Burke, FASAC, CAE, Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) 

• Mya Keyzers, Washington State Department of Ecology  

• Jake Slayton, Goodwill of South Central California 

• Fred Olsson, Planet Aid 

• Sonya Betker, SCS Engineers 

• Heidi Sanborn, National Stewardship Action Council / Stewardship Action Foundation 

What We Explored

This LinkedIn Live will examine:

• Systemwide challenges and opportunities in textile recovery

• How reuse, repair, and workforce development intersect

• The role of nonprofit collection and responsible reuse markets

• Market signals shaping textile design and recycling investments

• How national coordination can advance responsible, transparent circularity

Why This Matters

Textiles are one of the fastest-growing categories in the U.S. waste stream and one of the most overlooked. As states explore new policy pathways and local governments navigate rising operational challenges, interest-holders across the value chain are working to chart a path toward meaningful textile circularity.

The December 4 discussion helped frame what is needed to ensure responsible recovery, fair system design and resilient domestic end markets.

Watch the Free Recording

The full LinkedIn Live recording is now available

What's Next

The first meeting of the National Textile Circularity Working Group will take place on December 15, 2025, featuring remarks from Rep. Kristine Reeves and a discussion of national priorities and member-driven workstreams.

For more information about joining NSAC and SAF’s Textile Circularity Working Group, visit: nsaction.us/working-groups or contact Heath Nettles at heath@nsaction.us

Looking ahead, Resource Recycling will host its Textile Recovery Summit in February, which will continue elevating national conversations on emerging policy, infrastructure needs, and cross-sector collaboration.