Manufacturers: Circular economy the solution to textile waste

Workers label pairs of finished jeans inside the United Aryan textile factory at the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in Nairobi on February 4, 2025. The factory may be in East Africa but the Wrangler's and Levi's jeans rolling off the production line are pure Americana destined for US stores like Walmart and JC Penny. [AFP]

The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) says it is putting greater focus on the textile industry to promote a circular economy and reduce textile waste.

KAM chief executive Tobias Alando said the country risks being a dumping ground if there are no mechanisms to manage clothing waste through recycling or shredding.