Every year, the global fashion industry produces over 100 billion garments, with the exact number being unknown because brands do not disclose production volumes. Estimates suggest that there is enough clothing currently in circulation to satisfy the needs of the next six generations and yet fast fashion, a business model defined by volumes over value, continues to oversupply the world with clothing. Kantamanto Market in Accra, Ghana is the largest secondhand economy in the world, receiving millions of garments on a weekly basis from across the Global North. These garments were donated or put in “recycling” bins across the USA, EU, Canada, the UK and other countries. Every week, our Accra-based community group Tide Turners, removes over 10 tons of textile and other plastic waste from the beaches of Accra. Here, textiles wrap around themselves to form what we call “clothing tentacles”, requiring a great deal of athleticism and grit to remove from the ecosystem. These facts are directly related and manifest as Waste Colonialism, when a group of people uses waste and pollution to dominate another group of people in their homeland.
Tax-Deductible Contributions to The Or Foundation LTD are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable under the law. Our USA federal tax ID number is 27-1488092. For details please view our 2021 Annual Report. Operations in Ghana are conducted through the Ghanaian charity The OR Foundation LBG with registration number CG144611220. To donate directly within Ghana please contact us for details.
