Shein Group, the China-based fast fashion retailer, has announced a €5 million ($5.3 million) grant to the Africa Collect Textiles (ACT) Foundation in Kenya.

The award, distributed through the newly launched Shein Foundation, will enable ACT to expand its used textile collection and recycling efforts in Kenya and across Africa. The foundation aims to foster inclusive, equitable, and sustainable communities where the retailer operates and to protect biodiversity and address habitat loss arising from climate change by promoting the sustainable use of land and marine ecosystems. To that end, ACT will work to establish an accessible network of drop-off points to donate clothing; create jobs that enable the upscaling of textile waste into new products; build a recycling infrastructure to process large volumes of textile waste; and promote outreach programs for communities.

According to Shein, between 2021 and 2024, the company distributed more than $26 million toward social and environmental impact initiatives.

“This project will contribute immensely to our mission to reduce textile waste and close the loop on a more circular fashion ecosystem,” said ACT Foundation director Elmar Stroomer. “We are not only protecting our planet but also creating jobs that will transform lives and provide opportunities to those in need. This journey will inspire hope for a more sustainable and equitable future for all.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/joruba)