Democrat Chellie Pingree, ranking member of the House Appropriations Interior and Environment Subcommittee, is leading the initiative, which aims to raise awareness of the impacts of fast fashion and make climate-smart legislation to help the industry transition to a more sustainable future.

Congress members were joined by sustainable fashion industry leaders and stakeholders, including Patagonia, thredUp, the Garment Worker Center, and more for the launch event and press conference on Capitol Hill. 

“For too long, the so-called ‘fast fashion’ industry has been given free range to pollute our planet, exploit workers, and short-change consumers. In fact, textile waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the United States and is responsible for more carbon emissions than all international flights and maritime shipping combined,” said Pingree, founder and chair of the Slow Fashion Caucus.

“The launch of our Slow Fashion Caucus marks a new era in the fight against climate change and sends a clear message that Congress will not stand by as the harmful fast fashion industry flies under the radar to destroy our planet.”