- For Uganda, upcycling waste textiles could create green jobs, with novice tailors earning US$4.6 per day and professionals making up to US$17.9 per day.
- However, to fully realize this opportunity, policy support, and investment in recycling infrastructure is vital.
- Equally, stakeholder collaboration will be crucial for transitioning Uganda towards a circular textile economy.
In the heart of Kampala, Owino Market thrives as Uganda’s largest second-hand clothing hub, welcoming thousands of traders and customers daily. While this trade powers the local economy, it also generates significant textile waste, contributing up to 48 tonnes of waste daily.
With most discarded textiles ending up in landfills, burned, or informally repurposed, a growing movement is seeking solutions—one that could turn waste into wealth. Can this initiative in Uganda be mapped onto other economies across the East African Community (EAC) where the trade in second-hand clothing is a booming business?
A recent study by WasteAid, the Management Training and Advisory Centre, and the Uganda Tailors Association highlights the economic viability of upcycling textile waste. It found that novice tailors could earn approximately US$4.6 (about USh16,876.11) per day, while professional tailors could make up to US$17.9 (about USh65,670.07) per day by transforming waste textiles into new products.
This finding underscores the potential of a textile reuse hub in creating jobs, reducing environmental impact, and fostering a circular textile economy in Uganda.
The hidden economy of textile waste
At the moment, Uganda is the fifth-largest importer of second-hand clothing in Africa, bringing in 80 million kg of these items in 2023. This sector contributes US$70.85 million in tax revenue annually and supports 50,000 traders in Owino Market alone.
However, despite its economic benefits, Uganda’s second-hand clothing industry remains linear, meaning that once textiles reach the end of their life cycle, they are discarded rather than recycled or repurposed.
Retailers and vendors report struggling with unsold stock, with 54.8 per cent stating that some items become unsellable due to damage, fading, or wear. While some traders offer discounts to clear inventory, a substantial amount is ultimately disposed of as waste.
At the same time, an estimated 800,000 kg of waste arises annually from the bale-opening process alone. Without structured recycling facilities, much of this material is lost economic potential.
The economics of upcycling: A viable alternative?
Faced with mounting waste, Uganda’s tailors and artisans have begun exploring upcycling—the process of repurposing waste textiles into new products. A pilot study at Owino Market tested the financial feasibility of this model, revealing that:
- Novice tailors could earn an average of US$4.6 per day by creating upcycled fabric products.
- Professional tailors could make up to US$17.9 per day, significantly higher than the average income in the informal sector.
By transforming textile waste into floor mats, table mats, clothing, and artwork, upcycling can create green jobs and expand Uganda’s manufacturing potential. Beyond tailors, a textile reuse hub could generate employment for sorters, designers, and marketers, making textile waste a valuable economic resource rather than an environmental burden.
The role of informal waste collectors
In the absence of formal recycling infrastructure, informal waste collectors play a key role in salvaging discarded textiles. An estimated 755,820–879,580 kg of textile waste is collected annually by informal actors in Owino Market, with most materials used for, mattress and pillow stuffing, cleaning rags for industries and or handcrafted fabric accessories.
While these efforts help reduce waste, they remain small-scale and fragmented, lacking the necessary investment to scale up sustainable textile recycling. Establishing a structured textile reuse system could elevate the work of these collectors, formalizing waste collection and processing into a profitable sector.
Why Uganda needs a textile reuse hub
A textile reuse hub could serve as a central processing center where waste textiles are: sorted based on material type and quality, repurposed into marketable products, sold domestically and internationally as upcycled goods.
The financial feasibility of such a hub is evident. If even a fraction of Uganda’s 48 tonnes of daily textile waste is diverted towards upcycling, the economic benefits could be significant. The study highlights that investment in sorting, recycling, and upcycling facilities could drive sustainable change, reducing Uganda’s reliance on landfills while unlocking new revenue streams.
Policy and stakeholder collaboration: A vital missing link
To realize the full potential of a circular textile economy, collaboration among policymakers, traders, local governments, and international donors is essential. Key areas for intervention include: developing national policies that support textile recycling initiatives, providing incentives for businesses that invest in upcycling and textile waste management, funding pilot projects to scale up textile reuse efforts, educating consumers on the value of sustainable fashion and responsible consumption.
Without policy support and targeted investment, Uganda risks missing out on a multi-million-dollar industry that could provide thousands of jobs while addressing an urgent environmental challenge.
Currently, Uganda stands at a crossroads: continue treating textile waste as an environmental problem, or embrace it as an economic opportunity. The financial feasibility of upcycling textile waste is no longer in question—the challenge now lies in scaling up solutions and mobilizing stakeholders.
With the right investments, however, Uganda could lead the way in circular textile economy initiatives in East Africa, reducing landfill reliance, creating green jobs, and positioning itself as a hub for sustainable fashion. The future of Uganda’s textile industry depends on its ability to turn waste into wealth—one upcycled fabric at a time.
Read also: The hidden cost of Uganda’s love for second-hand clothing
