Americas Act
The Americas Act (formally the Americas Trade and Investment Act) was introduced in Congress on March 6, 2024 by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Michael Bennet (D-CO), alongside Representatives Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Adriano Espaillat (D-NY). This bipartisan legislation represents a bold effort to strengthen economic ties across the Western Hemisphere, while also advancing a fully circular textile economy. The bill proposes over $14 billion in federal investments—including grants, loans, innovation funding, consumer education, and tax incentives—to accelerate textile reuse and recycling infrastructure, encourage innovation, and promote sustainable business practices across the region.
SMART strongly supports the Americas Act because it directly aligns with our mission to advance textile reuse and recycling. The bill’s provisions would expand infrastructure for collection, sorting, and reuse; fund innovation; incentivize circular business models; and raise public awareness. By including these investments, the Americas Act positions the U.S. and its regional partners as leaders in building a sustainable, competitive, and truly circular textile economy.
Beyond the Americas Act, SMART generally supports policy measures that recognize textile reuse and recycling infrastructure as a worthwhile investment. This recognition and official support will be integral reducing waste, creating jobs, and keeping textiles in use for as long as possible.
S.3878 - 118th Congress (2023-2024): Americas Act | Congress.gov | Library of Congress
