1 October
Second-Hand Clothing, Circular Economy and the Basel Convention: Perspectives from Kenya
How could future Basel Convention controls affect trade in second-hand clothing and existing circular economy systems? Join this webinar to explore findings from a study by IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute on the potential implications of proposed Basel Convention controls for Kenya's second-hand clothing (Mi-tumba) market.
As Parties to the Basel Convention continue discussions on the classification and control of used textiles, important questions arise about how new measures could influence established reuse markets. The challenge lies in designing measures to prevent the transboundary movement of hazardous textile waste without disrupting circular economy objectives and existing reuse markets for products that are in clear demand and valued by consumers. This webinar will specifically focus on the potential impacts in Kenya.
The webinar will begin with an overview of the East African second-hand textile trading sector, including existing import controls, quality assurance requirements, and market governance systems. Researchers from IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute will then present the study's key findings, followed by perspectives from the Mitumba Consortium Association of Kenya (MCAK) on the ongoing Basel Convention discussions and opportunities to strengthen circular textile value chains while maintaining well-functioning reuse markets.
Download the report:
Full report (PDF)