LOOPER DEEPDIVES: SCENES FROM GHANA AND IVORY COAST

Looper Textile Co. follows up on second-hand selling at Kantamanto market with a group comprised of retailer, government, and industry representatives.

What exactly are Looper Textile Co. Deep Dives?

Our deep dives are periodic visits to key markets for used textiles. We use these visits to deepen our relationships with customers and other stakeholders, to expand insights into second-hand selling, and to scout for challenges and opportunities where we could collaborate to make a difference.

What key insights did you take away from your deep dive in Ivory Coast and Ghana?

We saw firsthand the rich ecosystem around the second-hand garment trade, which for local customers is generally seen as an environmentally and socially preferred alternative to buying inexpensive new garments produced under dubious conditions. We explored the different sources for second-hand garments that flow into these countries and others. These sources vary wildly in quality. We saw the troubling effects on waterways and beaches of clothing being “dumped" after being imported in bulk with little or no pre-sorting. Yet we also saw the customer demand for well-sorted, carefully selected second-hand clothing. And we were inspired by the leaders of local municipalities and waste authorities who are on the front lines of finding solutions.

In countries that lack infrastructure for handling textile waste, we see an opportunity to tighten the net of what qualities of garments are imported in the first place. We also see potential to reinforce collection of imported garments that do not sell locally so that such garments can be sorted for recycling or disposed of properly.

Here are scenes from our visits in November 2023…

Looper Textile Co. receives sales feedback from local second-hand sellers.

Some vendors in Kantamanto market focus on specific garment types. This market vendor sells only white bedding from second-hand textiles.

In Ivory Coast’s Adjame Market, there is a section with small businesses dedicated to repairing and repurposing garments.