Greenpeace Germany Reports on Imported Textile Waste

Greenpeace Germany has released a new report examining the growing problem of imported textile waste in Kenya and Tanzania. The publication follows an earlier Greenpeace report explaining why self-regulation in the fashion industry falls short, and continues to question the circularity claims made by global fashion brands.

The report shows how fast fashion’s linear model plays out in countries where large volumes of used clothes end up after very short use cycles. Many of these items arrive in poor condition, and Greenpeace documents how low-quality textiles accumulate in dumpsites, are burned in open fires, or wash into rivers and the sea — with serious consequences for people and the environment.

As part of the research in Kenya and Tanzania, Greenpeace met with several local initiatives working to manage imported textile waste. ACT also contributed to this project and is mentioned in the report on page 12.