Fact Check: "Accra's waste management can only process 30 tonnes of daily textile waste."
What We Know
The claim that Accra's waste management can only process 30 tonnes of daily textile waste is misleading. In reality, Accra generates significantly more textile waste than this figure suggests. According to a report by the Borgen Project, the Kantomanto Market in Accra receives over 100 tonnes of textile waste daily. Furthermore, the head of Accra's waste management department, Solomon Noi, estimates that around 100 tonnes of garments leave the market as waste each day, indicating a much higher volume than the claim suggests (The Guardian).
Additionally, a study published by Fordham University highlights that Accra generates approximately 1.44 million kilograms (or 1,440 tonnes) of waste daily, with a significant portion being textile waste (Fordham University). This indicates that the city's waste management capabilities far exceed the 30 tonnes mentioned in the claim.
Analysis
The claim appears to stem from a misunderstanding or misrepresentation of Accra's waste management capacity. While it is true that local initiatives, such as community clean-ups, may focus on smaller amounts of textile waste—like the 30 tonnes mentioned in reports about specific clean-up efforts (The Or Foundation)—this does not reflect the overall capacity or the total volume of textile waste generated in the city.
Moreover, the sources that provide the 30-tonne figure do not clarify whether this number pertains to a specific program, a monthly average, or a temporary initiative. This lack of context raises questions about the reliability of the claim. In contrast, more comprehensive sources, such as those from the Borgen Project and The Guardian, provide a clearer picture of the scale of textile waste in Accra, emphasizing that the city is dealing with hundreds of tonnes daily.
Given the discrepancies in reported figures and the lack of clarity surrounding the 30-tonne claim, it is essential to approach this assertion with caution.
Conclusion
Verdict: Needs Research
The claim that Accra's waste management can only process 30 tonnes of daily textile waste is not supported by the broader context of waste generation and management in the city. With estimates indicating that Accra deals with over 100 tonnes of textile waste daily, further investigation is required to clarify the origin of the 30-tonne figure and its relevance to the overall waste management situation in Accra.
Sources
- Unraveling the Waste Issue in Fast Fashion and its Impact on ...
- UK brands found in 'fast fashion graveyard' in African ...
- Discarded clothes from UK brands dumped in protected ...
- Accra Compost and Recycling Plant
- The Impact of Textile Waste in Ghana
- Dead white man's clothes: How fast fashion is turning parts ...
- The UK's Fast Fashion Waste is Overflowing Accra's Beaches
- Draped in injustice— unravelling the textile waste crisis in africa