Sustainability and Social Responsibility

The Role of Government in Sustaining or Creating Barriers Towards Ethical Textile and Apparel Manufacturing Practices in the United States 

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Abstract

Fashion consumers' spending in the 2020s has reached an all-time high, with over 80 billion new garments purchased globally each year—more than a 400% increase compared to two decades ago. This unprecedented demand has contributed to the textile and apparel industry's reliance on unethical and unsustainable production and distribution practices. Historically, governments have played a significant role in the textile and apparel manufacturing sector through incentives and regulations. In several countries, such as Japan, Scotland, Iceland, and Sweden, government intervention has helped promote ethical and sustainable manufacturing practices. As one of the world's largest textile and apparel exporters—alongside China and India—the United States operates within a framework of environmental laws. Given these regulations, it is crucial to examine how government legislation impacts the U.S. textile and apparel industry and sustainable futures.

Keywords: sustainability, government, manufacturing, ethics, environment, regulation

How to Cite:

Mudd, B. & Redd-Best, k. L., (2025) “The Role of Government in Sustaining or Creating Barriers Towards Ethical Textile and Apparel Manufacturing Practices in the United States ”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 82(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.21513