Rivers in some African countries are turning the colour of ink, and fast fashion is behind it. Untreated or partially treated effluent from textile factories, which is usually blue / indigo in colour, is killing the African rivers, according to a new report by non-profit Water Witness. Trade agreements, tax incentives and cheap labour have spurred rapid growth of the industry. The report claimed that Tanzania, Ethiopia, Lesotho and Madagascar did not comply with pollution control norms and released untreated waste comprising toxic metals, dyes, bleaching agents and other pollutants in the rivers. The brands that source clothes from African countries because of its lower production and labour costs are household names: Adidas, Asos, Calvin Klein, Carrefour, Disney, GAP, H&M, Mango, Marks and Spencer, Tommy Hilfiger, Puma and Zara.
Africa produces nearly 8 per cent of the world’s cotton, whose production adds significantly to the economy of 37 African countries. In each country, the textile and apparel sector contributed 20-60 per cent of export revenue and 5-30 per cent of the gross domestic product as of 2017, according to World Bank statistics.
— source downtoearth.org.in | 18 Aug 2021