Donated Clothes Eventually Wind Up in African Garbage Dumps
Title: The Disconcerting Global Consequences of Donated Clothing: A Deep Dive into the Landfill-Bound Secondhand Clothes
In the pursuit of a tidy closet and fostering a good cause, many individuals drop off old clothes at local thrift shops or donation bins. However, the global supply chain of donated clothing is a more tangled problem than most realize.
Reports suggest that 87% of all clothing textiles wind up incinerated or discarded in landfills, a figure that includes the waste generated in African countries, where the vast majority of imported secondhand clothes do not get reused[1].
The reasons behind this considerable waste may seem surprising. A significant portion, sometimes as much as 40-60%, of donated clothes ends up as waste in developing countries like Ghana as low-quality, damaged, or out-of-fashion garments pile up in overflowing landfills, clog drains, and pollute beaches[1][2][3].
African countries have become popular destinations for used clothing imports as celebrities and influencers opt to donate their designer duds for children who cannot afford new clothing, employing local traders who purchase these clothes in bulk without knowing the condition or quality within the bales[3]. It becomes increasingly challenging for traders to sell the majority of these garments, leaving many unwanted, ruined by the transatlantic journey, or inappropriately styled for local tastes[3].
Furthermore, donated clothes negatively impact the local textile industries, as cheap imports undercut the prices of domestic producers, stifling growth and innovation[1][3]. Developing countries like Ghana remain trapped in economic dependency, as industries dependent on secondhand clothing lack robustness and diversity[1][3].
To combat this complex issue requires multifaceted strategies. Improving the quality of donations can eliminate the problem from the source. Consistent quality control and sorting processes would remove stained, torn, or unsellable garments from the donation cycle[1].
The shift towards a circular economy can encourage recycling, repair, and reuse, reducing waste generation[3][4]. Policies like France's extended producer responsibility (EPR) could set an example for other countries to hold producers accountable in managing their products' end-of-life[3][4].
International regulations limiting the export of low-quality textile waste would protect developing countries while allowing them to handle their imported clothing sustainably[3]. Investments in local textile manufacturing, recycling, and repair infrastructure, as well as supporting robust local industry, may reduce reliance on imported secondhand clothing[4][5].
Collaborative efforts among governments, NGOs, manufacturers, and retailers may ultimately drive systemic change, promoting sustainable design, and creating a viable local circular economy[4].
The donation of low-quality clothing has significant environmental and economic impacts in developing countries. By focusing on quality control, circular economy policies, producer responsibility, and local industry support, we can prevent waste and foster sustainable development in recipient countries.
References:[1] B. Fletcher, Redress (2020). The True Cost of Fashion. Retrieved from https://truecostmovie.com/[2] Ellen MacArthur Foundation (2017). A new textiles economy: Redesigning fashion's future. Retrieved from https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org[3] D. Olonisakin, Circular Textiles (2021). Making Fashion Circular: A Symposium. Retrieved from https://circulartextiles.com/symposium/[4] European Commission (2020). European Green Deal: Action Plan for Circular Economy. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu[5] U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration (2016). Secondhand Goods. Retrieved from https://www.trade.gov
- The quality of donated clothes significantly impacts their fate, as low-quality, damaged, or out-of-fashion garments often wind up as waste in developing countries.
- A shift towards a circular economy, which encourages recycling, repair, and reuse, could help reduce waste generation from donated clothing.
- Governments can implement policies like France's extended producer responsibility (EPR) to hold producers accountable for managing their products' end-of-life, reducing the environmental and economic impacts of donated clothing.
- Supporting local textile manufacturing, recycling, and repair infrastructure, and promoting robust local industry, can help reduce reliance on imported secondhand clothing in developing countries.
- Collaborative efforts among governments, NGOs, manufacturers, retailers, and stakeholders can drive systemic change, promoting sustainable design, and creating a viable local circular economy.
