About Kynd Textiles Africa - Recycling Initiative
Our Mission
At Kynd Textiles Africa, we are dedicated to promoting sustainable practices in the textile industry. Our mission is to transform textile waste into sustainable resources by partnering with textile factories and traders in Africa and recycling facilities abroad, creating a circular economy that reduces environmental impact, empowers communities, and promotes ethical and innovative waste management solutions.
Our Vision
To help create a world where textile waste is reduced and discarded garments are repurposed into new materials, driving a global shift toward sustainability, responsible consumption, and inclusive economic growth.
Theory of Change
If KYND Textiles Africa collects industrial and post-consumer textile waste from the communities we partner with, Then we can address the complex drivers of environmental degradation in the textile industry that affect public health, water quality, and air pollution. This will reduce waste accumulation in cities and improve the overall quality of life for members in partnering communities.
Education and Activism
At KYND, we believe that awareness is the first step toward change. Through media campaigns and community outreach, we work to inform local sellers and traders about the benefits and risks of the second-hand clothing industry by empowering them with sustainable solutions. By amplifying their voices and experiences, we shed light on the realities of the second-hand clothing trade, ensuring that the global conversation includes those most affected. Our activism goes beyond advocacy—we strive to build a movement that reimagines fashion waste, pushing for systemic change at both local and international levels.
Learn More About The Problem
A Global Textile Waste Crisis Impacting Sub-Saharan Africa
Each year, millions of tons of post-consumer and industrial textile waste are exported from western nations to Sub-Saharan Africa, with the intention of providing affordable clothing options. However, a significant portion of these garments are unsuitable for resale, leading to severe environmental and health challenges as the garments fill already overcrowded landfills due to underdeveloped waste management systems .
The Numbers Speak for Themselves
- Over 2 million tonnes of used clothing are imported into Sub-Saharan Africa annually.
- 40% of these imported garments are deemed unsellable due to poor quality, contributing to substantial waste.
- Of the textile waste that ends up in Sub-Saharan Africa about 69% of the fibers used in clothes are synthetic and non-biodegradable.
Waste In Our Oceans
Every year, tons of discarded clothing and textile waste wash up on the shores of Sub-Saharan Africa, tangled in fishing nets and polluting marine ecosystems. What isn’t sold is often dumped, burned, or lost in waterways, harming both the environment and local communities. This is the unseen cost of the global second-hand clothing trade.