Kenyan traders are urging people to continue donating their used clothes this Christmas, despite misinformation circulating about the environmental impact of second-hand clothing donations.
The Mitumba Consortium Association of Kenya recently released a report debunking claims that used clothes contribute to waste and environmental damage, instead showing that the trade is low waste, climate friendly, and provides important economic opportunities for women and young people in Africa.
The report, titled ‘The Quality of Second-Hand Clothes Imported to Kenya and the Associated Environmental Impacts’, highlights the positive impact of the second-hand clothing trade on the Kenyan economy and the reduction of textile waste.
Teresia Wairimu, chairperson of MCAK, emphasized the importance of continued donations, stating that the misinformation about the trade has been damaging and puts millions of jobs and livelihoods at risk.
The research for the report was conducted by Information Research Solutions in Nairobi and edited by Professor Patrick Diamond of Queen Mary University London.
The report aims to dispel the false narrative surrounding the second-hand clothing trade and encourage evidence-based policy decisions that consider the livelihoods of those involved in the industry.
