Refab Africa Launches Mobile Cloth Bank to Curb Textile Waste, Boost Green Jobs
Refab Africa has rolled out a mobile cloth bank in Abuja to reduce textile waste, promote circular fashion, and create green jobs. The initiative, led by TA Community in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Environment, seeks to transform discarded clothing into valuable resources through upcycling, redistribution, and innovative recycling.
At the launch, Program Director of TA Community and founder of Refab Africa, Tunmise Johnson, described the effort as a climate and social solution. “Every piece of clothing we rescue is a statement against waste, a step towards climate action, and a chance for someone to regain dignity through what they wear,” Johnson said. Usable garments will be redesigned, while worn-out textiles will be repurposed to extend their lifecycle.
Refab Africa aims to become a major supplier of textile materials for upcyclers and designers, spurring demand for sustainable products locally and internationally. Representing the Minister of Environment, Bahijjahtu Abubakar, Director of Pollution Control and Environmental Health, reaffirmed government backing, calling the project a vital step toward reducing the fashion industry’s environmental footprint.
She noted that by extending the lifespan of clothing and reimagining textile scraps, the program will cut landfill waste while empowering tailors, designers, and small businesses. “These initiatives are more than just projects. They are powerful declarations of intent,” she said, emphasizing circularity as a path to both climate resilience and economic opportunity.