The production of new textiles is widely recognized as being one of the most environmentally and socially damaging industries in the world. But reuse and recycling industry redresses much of that damage.

Most people do not view textiles as a household recyclable like paper, plastic, aluminium and glass despite the fact that more than 95 per cent of all textiles can be recycled or reused in some way. Textiles encompasses more than just clothing—linens, towels, pillows, footwear, accessories, bags and stuffed animals are all textile products that can be recycled or reused. Lack of consumer awareness around recycling and textiles is hampering efforts to increase recyclingi rates.

The secondhand clothing industry dramatically helps close the loop on post-consumer textile waste, and provides many people around the world the only affordable access to quality apparel.

Export of secondhand clothing to East Africa has been a thriving trade for many decades. However, the East African Community, made up of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and Rwanda, earlier this year proposed banning all imported used clothing and shoes by 2019.

This move can have serious ramifications for the secondhand market in places such as the UK, where much more clothing would likely head to landfill without the huge east African outlet.