Have You Ever Wondered How Your Career Path Affects the Planet?

Working in the fashion industry as a professional photographer, I've had the privilege of working closely with stylists, models, and influencers, gaining a unique perspective on the industry's inner workings. But alongside the creativity and glamour, I've witnessed a troubling trend—one that many of us might overlook.

At countless photoshoots, I've seen professionals arrive with suitcases full of new clothes, often with the intention of returning them right after the shoot. This seemingly harmless practice sheds light on a much larger issue within the apparel industry.

Did you know that 1 in 2 fashion items are returned globally? The environmental consequences of this are staggering. Many of these unsold returns don't find their way back to store shelves or on e-commerce sites. Instead, they're sold on at a loss to for-profit aggregators, who bundle the clothes into bales for export. 

Ghana, my homeland where my parents are from, has become the world’s largest importer of used clothing, receiving about 15 million items of secondhand clothing each week. Ghana imports over £200 million worth of used clothes each year, making it the largest importer globally.

These imported clothes are sold in Kantamanto, Accra's sprawling second-hand clothes market. But here’s the problem: about 40% of each bale is waste—apparel items with stains, rips, and tears. Traders sell and upcycle what they can, but the rest becomes a burden on the environment.

Every day, 100 tonnes of garment waste leave Kantamanto, with around 30% collected by the city. The rest? It ends up in illegal dumps, ditches, and even the sea. This waste flows into the Odaw River, Korle Lagoon, and eventually the ocean, wreaking havoc on marine life and washing up on beaches.

Knowing that my career path, which I love, indirectly contributes to the devastating environmental impact of the fashion industry doesn’t sit well with my soul. As professionals, we must recognise and address the environmental footprint of our industry.

So, as we continue to pursue our passions, let's also be mindful of how our professional choices ripple beyond our immediate surroundings. The industries we work in, no matter how seemingly disconnected from environmental issues, have the power to shape a more sustainable future. By being aware of this influence, we can take steps to ensure that our careers contribute to positive change, leaving a legacy that aligns not just with our ambitions but also with the well-being of our planet.