Ghana Drowns in 15 Million Pieces of Unsold Clothing Weekly, Greenpeace Report
A new report by Greenpeace Africa and Greenpeace Germany has exposed the alarming environmental and public health impacts of the global second-hand clothing trade in Ghana.
A new report by Greenpeace Africa and Greenpeace Germany has exposed the alarming environmental and public health impacts of the global second-hand clothing trade in Ghana. The report, titled "Fast Fashion, Slow Poison: The Toxic Textile Crisis in Ghana," highlights how discarded clothing from the Global North is turning parts of Ghana into a dumping ground for fast fashion waste.
The Scale of the Crisis
Every week, approximately 15 million items of clothing are received in Ghana, but nearly half of these clothes are unsellable. The result is massive textile waste ending up in informal dumpsites or burned in public washhouses, leading to severe contamination of air, soil, and water resources, putting the health of local communities at risk.
Key Findings from the Greenpeace Report
- Air Pollution: Air samples from public washhouses in Accra’s Old Fadama settlement show dangerously high levels of toxic substances in indoor air, including carcinogens like benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
- Plastic Pollution: Infrared testing of discarded clothing revealed that nearly 90% are made of synthetic fibers like polyester, contributing to the spread of microplastics in the environment.
- Environmental Degradation: The accumulation of textile waste is smothering natural habitats, polluting rivers, and leading to the creation of ‘plastic beaches’ along the coast.
The Voices on the Ground
"This report is a wake-up call," said Hellen Dena, Greenpeace Africa’s Pan-African Plastics Lead. "The toxic waste dumped in Ghana is not just an environmental issue, it is a stark example of environmental injustice recklessly carried out by the Global North. Fashion brands and governments must take immediate responsibility for the damage their waste is causing in countries like Ghana."
"The evidence we have collected shows that the fast fashion industry is not just a fashion issue—it’s a public health crisis. The clothes we tested are literally poisoning the people of Accra," said Sam Quashie-Idun, the report author.
A Call for Action
Greenpeace Africa’s campaigners are calling for immediate and long-term actions to address this crisis, including:
- A ban on the importation of textile waste that cannot be reused.
- Urgent legislative action to stop the importation of textile waste from the Global North.
- Fashion brands to be held accountable for the full lifecycle of their products, including waste disposal and recycling, under a global Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
Quashie-Idun is also calling for urgent support for local solutions: "The Ghanaian government together with the international community should support the development of a sustainable local textile industry in Ghana, which can alleviate the waste problem while providing economic opportunities."
Global Implications and Prior Insights
This report highlights a growing trend of wealthier nations exporting their waste problems to developing countries. Ghana, like other African nations, has long been a destination for second-hand clothing, but the rise of fast fashion has dramatically increased the volume and decreased the quality of these imports, leading to an unmanageable waste crisis.
Previous reports and investigations have documented similar issues in other parts of the world, raising concerns about the ethical and environmental implications of the global textile trade. The industry's reliance on cheap labor, environmentally damaging production processes, and the creation of massive amounts of waste are all coming under increased scrutiny.
Looking Ahead
The Greenpeace report serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for systemic change in the fashion industry. As Hellen Dena stated,
"The situation in Ghana reflects a neocolonial mindset where the Global North profits from overproduction and waste, while countries like Ghana pay the price. It’s time for a global treaty that addresses this imbalance and protects communities from the harm caused by fast fashion."
Greenpeace Africa urges the Global North to listen to the voices of the people in Ghana and work collaboratively to develop solutions that are fair, sustainable, and free from the legacy of exploitation.
