Chinese fashion behemoth Shein was applauded at the International Conference on Fashion Sustainability in Copenhagen for making a $15 million donation over three years to a charity working in the world’s largest secondhand clothing market at Kantamanto in Accra. The announcement was made by Liz Ricketts, Director, Or Foundation, a Ghana- and US-based not-for-profit working with Accra’s textile waste workers. Ghana gets 15 million secondhand garments every week, of which 40 per cent are thrown away that ultimately end up polluting the oceans.

The Or Foundation assesses the physical damages done by the accumulation of these heavy clothing bales through a weekly clinic for waste workers. According to Ricketts, the Shein fund does not substitute responsible behavior but forms a part of its extended producer responsibility. The money aims to address the ecological and social problems of the global clothing trade. It will help the foundation fund an apprenticeship program for Kantamanto women. It will also help textile business improve market conditions by recycling waste.

Ricketts urges other brands to be open about their sustainability initiatives and reward communities successfully managing their wastes. Adam Whinston, Head-ESG, Shein says, the brand looks forward to working with Or Foundation to address the problem of secondhand fashion.