Kenya’s clothing waste raises concerns about potential public health risks
Kenya’s secondhand clothing trade, locally known as mitumba, clothes millions of people and supports an estimated 2 million livelihoods, making it one of Africa’s largest markets for used garments. That makes Kenya a useful lens for understanding the growing global public health problems associated with textile waste disguised as reusable clothing. More than 4.5 billion […]
Kenya's used clothing trade, or mitumba, reaches millions of people and supports 2 million jobs, ranking as Africa's largest market for secondhand garments. However, this trade also raises concerns about potential public health risks associated with textile waste. Each year, over 4.5 billion used garments are shipped to Africa, many of which end up in dumpsites or are incinerated when local sorting systems are overwhelmed.
Researchers warn that discarded textiles can become breeding grounds for harmful bacteria, including Escherichia and Klebsiella, which cause a range of illnesses from diarrheal disease to sepsis. A review of recent studies found that discarded textiles can harbor pathogenic microorganisms and antimicrobial-resistant genes, while another study discovered that microplastics released from degrading synthetic textiles can transport pathogens and toxic chemicals through the environment.
In Kenya, the sheer volume of secondhand clothing is exacerbating the problem. A 2023 report estimates that Nairobi's main dumpsite receives approximately 86 metric tons of textile waste daily. Once discarded, synthetic textiles break down into microplastics that contaminate both the air and water. To address this issue, the authors of a study published in Science advocate for better waste management systems to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria and microplastics.
Written by urgent.news from Mongabay's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
