What are second hand used clothes?

    Let’s start with some data on the current state of textile waste in developed countries. One study shows that the majority of textile waste in the USA goes to landfill dumps. In 2017, the figures were 13 million tonnes or 85% of all textile waste. Moreover, an average American throws away almost 37kg of clothes per year.  Every year, European Union disposes of or burns some 9.35 million tons of textile waste. So every year, the average European, while buying 26 kg of textiles, discards 11 kg.

Globalization

    The fashion trend cycles in the past were under limits to the yearly seasons. But, the globalization movement in the last three decades spread across the world. Like many other sectors, the global economy movement had lasting effects on the fashion industry.
   With fast travel means and internet access, a consumer can order clothes online now. The outlets send the items straight to a consumer’s front door instantly. So, the shrinking seasonal trend cycles lead to speeding up of the production process. It means that fashion houses and brands can produce clothes weekly now.

Clothes out of fashion sooner

    Naturally, the speeding up forces clothes out of fashion sooner due to the readily available consumption choices. As such, fashion houses discard the clothes to landfills due to specific styles quickly becoming unfashionable. Note, when new and cheaper models take no time to come along, it renders the clothing lifespan mere weeks.

kaunjika

   Still, in many countries, second hand used clothing continues to garner unrivalled fame. Many studies establish the why question by studying this clothing phenomenon, especially in African countries. For example, users call used clothes “kaunjika” in Malawi, meaning clothes sold in a heap. Nevertheless, it’s still a resilient and popular business in developing nations.

Affordability Plays an Important Role

   Most consumers in the developing markets cannot afford the cheapest new garments sold in their local stores. Apart from the middle-income consumers in the urban areas, the low-income consumers opt for cheaper used items with higher quality.
Items with good style or quality continue to trickle down the developing market’s supply chain. These items are then sold to consumers with lower purchasing power by the vendors. These primarily individuals operate in the rural areas. The local markets accept the items due to fewer alternatives. But, the fact remains that the quality and style at an affordable price is acceptable to the general populace.

Final Thoughts

Interactions in the markets with shopkeepers, street vendors, used clothing wholesalers and consumers will demonstrate the point of this article. Users in Blantyre, Zomba, Limbe, Lilongwe, and other places in Africa clearly show support for the industry.

     Let’s take Kenya as an example. It alone imports some 100,000 tones of used clothes per year. It creates tens of thousands of jobs. Also, the government uses customs duties to receive millions of dollars in revenues. What’s more? The industry also offers quality clothes to Kenyans. These consumers have a lesser monthly income than a pair of new Ralph Lauren khaki costs in Western countries.