American consumers generate 17 million tons of textile waste annually, with only 14.7% being recovered. A recent report commissioned by Garson & Shaw found that Guatemala’s secondhand clothing sector supports the country’s economy, providing affordable apparel, stimulating economic activity, and creating livelihood opportunities. Nearly 290 pounds of secondhand clothing were imported by Guatemala in 2023, with 98.6% originating from the United States. The report highlights the importance of recognizing secondhand clothing as a platform for women’s economic empowerment, offering accessible pathways to entrepreneurship and income generation, especially in low-income households.
The report recommends that policymakers in the United States should strengthen upstream collection systems and improve donation practices to manage secondhand clothing flows to maximize local economic and social benefits. The Global North must support reuse systems that work to reduce waste at home and promote sustainability and economic inclusion abroad.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: Guatemala Wants American SHC Exports, Report Claims