26 March 2025, Nairobi. – Each year, humanity generates nearly 2.3 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste. Among this, a staggering 92 million tonnes of textile waste is discarded globally, according to the Global Fashion Agenda. That’s the equivalent of one garbage truck full of clothes being discarded every second. Between 2000 and 2015, global clothing production doubled—yet the average lifespan of garments shrank by 36%, as noted by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
The numbers are stark. At the current pace, global waste is projected to nearly double by 2050. Cities, though occupying just 2% of the world’s land, generate up to 50% of its waste. Worryingly, only about 33% of this waste is handled in an environmentally sound way—even in the most optimistic estimates. But what if you could shift from being waste generators to circular economy pioneers—eliminating landfills in the process?
The Threads of Change: Upcyclers in Mathare, Nairobi
Africa remains a major recipient of second-hand textiles, primarily arriving from Europe and North America. In cities like Nairobi, mitumba or second-hand clothing markets become bustling hubs for resale—breathe new life into these discarded clothes.
As the second-hand clothing culture thrives, another movement is emerging. One that goes beyond resale, toward transformation.
In Mathare, one of the largest informal settlements in Nairobi, a small but vibrant workshop pulses with energy. Here, the buzz of sewing machines is the background with the laughter of women stitching together futures once frayed.
Amina is a young mother who works at the Upcyclers Creative Hub, a project of Mto Wangu, a youth-led initiative seeking to improve the livability of Mathare and livelihoods of its residents. Amina job us to repurpose discarded materials into school bags, fashion items, and reusable sanitary pads that uphold dignity for girls in her community.
Originally a women-only initiative, the hub soon welcomed three male creatives, recognizing that sustainability and social impact thrive on inclusivity. Today, the Upcyclers team is made up of a growing number individuals reclaiming waste and rewriting narratives.
Amina is no longer just a tailor. She’s a mentor, a leader—a changemaker. Each product she creates tells a story of resilience, rebirth, and responsibility. Waste becomes design. Skills become livelihoods. And lives, once overlooked, begin to flourish.
From humble beginnings, Upcyclers Creative Hub has grown into a movement—transforming textile waste into opportunity, restoring dignity, and championing sustainable urban living.
The Role of Young People: Drivers of Change or Victims of Trend Cycles?
An estimated 40% of global waste is mismanaged, ending up in open dumps or being burned—poisoning our air, land, and water. And while fast fashion giants often escape accountability, their primary market is clear: young consumers.
With trends changing faster than ever, it is youth who unknowingly fuel overproduction. But that also means young people have the power to flip the script—to redefine fashion and consumption culture.
As Faith Adoyo, one of the founders of Upcyclers, notes, sometimes it begins with a conscious decision: to hit pause before hitting “buy.”
Many young shoppers argue, rightly, that high-quality garments are often unaffordable. Yet sustainability doesn’t always mean spending more.
What You Can Do Starting Today
The best place to begin is by getting informed. A new collaboration between the Zero Waste Foundation and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and UN-Habitat offers just that: exciting learning opportunities for all.
💡 Don’t miss the upcoming webinar hosted by UNEP and UN-Habitat on 4 April:
🧵 “Global Webinar Marathon: Towards Zero Waste in Textiles and Fashion.”
REGISTER HERE and join the movement towards a cleaner, fairer fashion future.
9 Ways to Practice Sustainable Fashion in Your Community
- Adopt a maintenance mindset – care for and repair your clothes
- Upcycle old fabric – into crafts, home décor, or practical items
- Organize clothing swaps – with friends, family, or neighbors
- Donate reusable clothes – to local charities or textile banks
- Map out your city’s recycling points – and share them with your community
- Create a communal exchange corner – in your apartment hallway or community center
- Resell items – through thrift apps, garage sales, or flea markets
- Support local upcyclers – like the Upcyclers Hub in Mathare
- Hold fast fashion accountable – and choose brands with transparent sustainability practices
