BIR Interactive Textiles Event - First session announcement
Session 1 - Trade Restrictions:
Is the Global Reuse of Post-Consumer Textiles at Risk?
The upcoming special BIR Textiles event will be instrumental in separating fact from fiction surrounding the second-hand textiles trade. BIR will cut through the noise and help understand the ‘real’ story of used clothing and its place in the circular economy.
The event’s first session focuses on trade restrictions. The export of used clothing to Sub-Saharan Africa has faced intense scrutiny in recent years, with critics alleging that much of it is unsuitable for reuse and ends up in landfills. However, research on this issue presents different findings.
This session aims to delve deeper into the complex reality of the second-hand textile trade in these regions. We will explore the UNEP's Circularity and Used Textiles Trade project, which is investigating policy, financial, and regulatory solutions to promote sustainable textile trade in Kenya, Ghana, Pakistan, and Tunisia.
A panel of experts with firsthand experience in Africa will challenge prevailing narratives, examining the environmental, social, and economic implications of the trade. We will question whether the current media focus is hindering efforts to establish a circular textile economy and consider potential policy measures to improve the situation.
Programme overview
The meeting will be chaired by Alan Wheeler,CEO, Textile Recycling Association (GBR).
As a spokesperson for the industry, he is regularly interviewed by the broadcast and print media in the UK and other parts of the world. Through his role, he sat on the advisory group of the Sustainable Clothing Action Plan and the European Clothing Action Plan. Going forward Alan will also be taking an active role in the new voluntary Textiles 2030 initiative which is set to be launched in Spring 2021. He is also an experienced presenter and panelist and has chaired numerous sustainable textile events and meetings throughout the world, including the first ever international textile recycling conference which took place in Miami in 2014.
Speakers and panellists
A guest presentation will be given by Beatriz Fernandez, Policy Officer at the United Nations Environment Programme’s Trade and Environment Hub.
She will be presenting the new UN Circularity and Used Textile Trade Project.
This project aims to identify key policy, financing, investment and regulatory priorities for trade and policy reforms and financing options allowing an effective transition towards a sustainable and circular textile value chain. Beatriz’ work is centered on the critical intersection of environment and trade, with a specific focus on fostering a green economy. She is responsible for driving initiatives that promote trade practices that benefit both people and the planet, making her a key player in the pursuit of nature-positive trade. She also oversees UNEP's participation in the UKRI GCRF TRADE Hub, contributing to the development of sustainable trade policies.
Michelle Wilson is the Director of Programmes at WasteAid, a UK-based international NGO dedicated to helping countries implement circular economy solutions for waste management.
WasteAid operates projects in The Gambia, South Africa, India, and Uganda, focusing on textiles, plastics, and organic waste. With 19 years of experience in international development, including seven years in Africa, Michelle leads initiatives that address critical waste challenges. Currently, WasteAid is spearheading a project in Uganda, repurposing waste from the second-hand textile trade, particularly at Owino market, Uganda's largest textile market. This project, funded by the Sustainable Manufacturing and Environmental Pollution Programme (SMEP) and supported by the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), aims to tackle environmental pollution and promote sustainable practices.
During the session, Michelle will present findings from a recent baseline study that assessed the volume and impact of secondary textile waste generated at Owino market, highlighting the urgent need for innovative waste management solutions.
Mariska Boer is a well-known figure in the textile recycling industry.
With over two decades at the Boer Group, one of Europe's largest textile recyclers, she has honed her expertise in operations, human resources, and strategic leadership. Her influence extends beyond her company.
As President of EuRIC Textiles and Chair of the Vereniging Herwinning Textiel, Mariska shapes industry policies and drives collaboration. Her career is marked by a commitment to sustainability and circular economy principles. Her deep understanding of the textile industry, coupled with her strategic vision, positions her as a key player in driving the sector's transition to a more sustainable future.
Marlvin Owusu is an Executive Member of the Ghana Used Clothing Dealers Association (GUCDA), where he has been actively involved since May 2018.
With over six years of experience in the industry, Marlvin plays a pivotal role in the importation and distribution of second-hand clothing in Ghana.
His work is critical in shaping the industry, which significantly impacts the local economy and provides affordable clothing options to many Ghanaians. Marlvin is also known for his active participation in public discussions about the second-hand clothing industry in Ghana. He recently spoke at an event titled "The Impact of Second-hand Clothing in Ghana," sharing his insights on the sector's economic and social implications.
Peter Lund-Thomsen is Professor of Corporate Social Responsibility in Developing Countries at the CBS.
His specialization is sustainable sourcing, CSR/sustainability in local industrial clusters/regions, and impact assessment at the base of global value chains.
He is responsible for taking the lead in developing the CBS' research in the area of CSR in developing countries and enhancing the CBS teaching and training portfolio in this area. Engages in partnerships with private sector, civil society, governmental, and multi-stakeholder initiatives. These partnerships bring the latest insights from academic research insights worldwide to help these organizations improve the quality of their work and also develop new knowledge and insights into their operations and practices.