What happens to your clothes after you donate them? It's the fashion industries dirtiest secret. Many of your donated clothes are sent to third-world countries weakening their local textile economy or dumped straight into landfill, creating catastrophe on the other side of the world.
15 million garments pour into Ghana every week from the U.K., North America, Europe and Australia known as “obroni wawu” – or “dead white man’s clothes”. About 40% arrive in such poor condition that Ghana is forced to deal with the devastating impacts of the West's consumption culture.
Local traders purchase the rest of the clothing bales without knowing what is inside of them, unsure if they will make their money back. The poor condition of these clothes are a result of the Western worlds fast fashion addiction. Cheaply, quickly produced items made by workers often with limited or non-existent rights being paid unliveable wages. Rethink your next fashion purchase. Look into the fashion brand:
Do they pay a living wage?
What materials do they produce clothing from?
Are they transparent about all areas of their supply chain?
What eco-friendly practices do they have in place?
rax, Canada's peer-to-peer wardrobe rental app gives you a platform to circulate clothing that are already in our own closets. By lending out your clothes, this allows other people to enjoy them without buying new. By borrowing clothes, you can wear them for a fraction of the cost of retail value.
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