The federal government has drawn attention to the problem of the mass shipment of second-hand clothes to West Africa. In Ghana, for example, so many used textiles and textile waste arrive that domestic production has a hard time and enormous environmental problems are caused. “I think you also have to raise awareness among consumers,” said Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil. When it comes to consumption, you can be more careful and think a little more about what you buy. High- and middle-income people in Western countries also buy many things that they hardly need. Heil and Development Minister Svenja Schulze (both SPD) visited one of the world’s largest second-hand markets in Ghana’s capital Accra during their trip to West Africa, which lasted until Friday. Around 100 containers with around 15 million articles arrive here every week, some from Germany.
Textile waste – Heil criticizes old clothes exports – economy
