UNEP’s Textile Waste Guidelines Draw Scrutiny from Kenya’s Secondhand Clothing Sector

Efforts to tighten global definitions of “waste” have sparked a struggle over the future of reuse economies. Teresiah Wairimu Njenga, who leads the Mitumba Consortium Association of Kenya, argues that poorly conceived guidelines risk collapsing viable circular systems under the guise of environmental reform, while the real issue of fast-fashion overproduction remains unaddressed.

By IVL Swedish Environment Research Institute, (June, 2026)

Implications for the Kenyan Mitumba Market from Introduction of Basel Convention Rules in Trade of Second-Hand Clothing

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How does Basel Convention impact African secondhand traders?

Across the world all of the associations warn against the proposals under Basel Convention. Find out Why

IVL Swedish Environment Research Institute warns existing proposals under Basel Convention will increase costs, delay shipments and create uncertainty. Furthermore, requiring all clothing to be finely sorted before export could disrupt the existing business model