H-0297.1
HOUSE BILL 1107
State of Washington
69th Legislature
2025 Regular Session
By Representatives Mena, Ramel, Berry, Reed, Macri, Doglio, Gregerson, Simmons, Peterson, Goodman, Pollet, Kloba, Duerr, Berg, Ormsby, Scott, Reeves, Bernbaum, and Hill
Prefiled 12/20/24. Read first time 01/13/25. Referred to Committee on Environment & Energy.
AN ACT Relating to environmental impacts of fashion; amending RCW 70A.430.060 ; reenacting and amending RCW 43.21B.110 and 43.21B.300 ; adding a new chapter to Title 70A RCW; and prescribing penalties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that the fashion industry has many negative environmental impacts, including high levels of water use, runoff pollution from the use of agrochemicals and dyes, carbon emissions, industry waste, and hazardous work environments.
(2) The United Nations estimates that a single pair of jeans requires a kilogram of cotton, and because cotton tends to be grown in dry environments, producing this kilogram requires about 7,500 to 10,000 liters of water, which is approximately 10 years' worth of drinking water for one person. The industry accounts for nearly 20 percent of global wastewater, with fabric dyes polluting water bodies and impacting aquatic life and drinking water. Cotton production also uses a high amount of fertilizers and pesticides, discharging toxic substances to waterways. In terms of greenhouse gases, the fashion industry accounts for about eight to 10 percent of global carbon emissions, more than both aviation and shipping combined.