Chinese fashion giant to donate millions of dollars to recycling

Chinese online retailer Shein will donate more than 10 million dollars to recycle textile waste and help workers in the second-hand clothing market. The funds will be used to support educational programs, help local businesses and improve working conditions in the African country of Ghana, specifies The Guardian.

Accra, the capital of Ghana, is home to the world’s largest second-hand clothing market. Women and children who came to the country to work are forced to work there – they carry heavy bags for little pay and sleep on the floor. About 15 million items are brought to market every week, 40 percent of which are unsuitable for reuse. There are no incinerators or landfills in Ghana, so unwanted textiles end up in the ocean.

The fashion giant has pledged to donate $15 million over three years to support the market’s employees and help tackle the waste problem. Representatives of Shein announced this at the international summit in Copenhagen, but not all participants in the event supported the retailer. Some have accused the company of greenwashing – a fake concern for nature for marketing purposes. The source of the publication said that instead of donations, Shein should fight the cause of the plight of the employees of the African country – fast fashion, on which the retailer earns billions of dollars.

In January, American singer Riana donated $15 million to the fight against environmental problems. The money was donated to 18 climate justice communities in the US and seven Caribbean countries.