“I’ve taken samples of river water which burned my hands as it was as strong as bleach.” This chilling statement came from the director of Water Witness International (WWI), Nick Hepworth, and lead author of a report made public recently. This report highlights a growing body of evidence that textile pollution is posing a serious environmental danger across the globe including in the African continent.
Fast Fashion Polluting Domestic Use Water
According to the report, the manufacture of fast fashion is contaminating rivers and substantially polluting water for domestic use. The report further indicated that chromium, a highly toxic metal used in older and cheaper black dyes, has been detected in rivers and was five higher than what is considered safe. It also showed that in Lesotho, a local river near where jeans are manufactured, has its water dyed blue while samples from Tanzania’s Msimbazi River were found to have a pH as high as 12. The pH of rivers should not be higher than 7.4 and that of domestic use water between 6.5 and 8.5.
(Image: African Lionesses)
Re-purposing Disused Fabrics
Enter Gladys Chibanda, founder of Krafted Ink in Zimbabwe. Krafted Ink was established to attack textile waste while also promoting cultural diversity. She achieves the latter by turning discarded textiles into eco-friendly gift packaging and stationery. She also uses this activity as a way to celebrate the rich heritage of African fabrics.
“We are dedicated to addressing the growing environmental concern of textile waste in Africa by repurposing discarded fabrics into high-quality, sustainable products. Our innovative approach aims to combine traditional African textiles with modern design aesthetics, creating visually stunning and culturally rich packaging and stationery items,” says Chibanda.
Chibanda attributes the start of Krafted Ink to a combination of factors which “resonated with my values and aspirations”. These include environmental consciousness; after witnessing the sheer volume of discarded textile materials in her neighbourhood. She felt the need to search for sustainable solutions. She says the levels of pollution caused by discarded pieces of fabric or cloths had a detrimental impact on the environment. “As I grew up, I realised that we didn’t have sustainable ways to dispose of old clothes or pieces of fabric. In most African households; either we burn or use them as mats or this sparked my interest in textile waste,” she adds.
Celebrating Vibrancy, Artistry and Culture
Chibanda says she also wants to celebrate culture because she loves the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Africa. “I wanted to create products that not only addressed environmental concerns but also celebrated the vibrancy and artistry of traditional African textiles. With one of my parents being artistic, I inherited the passion for art, culture, and crafts.” She says she has a strong desire to challenge social norms, combat discrimination and eliminate stigmas and stereotypes associated with creatives. “I believed that through entrepreneurship and innovation, I can contribute to positive change and challenge the status quo,” says Chibanda.
Positive social transformation
According to Chibanda, Krafted Ink saw the light as a result of her deep desire to make a positive impact on our planet, celebrate cultural diversity, challenge norms and fulfil my entrepreneurial aspirations. She says she is proud and grateful for having founded her project as it is significantly contributing to positive societal transformation as well as raising awareness about environmental sustainability. She adds: “Our core mission is to combat textile waste and reduce the environmental impact of discarded fabrics. We do this by upcycling textiles into stunning, eco-friendly gift packaging and stationery. We’re not just a business; we’re a force for positive environmental change.”
Crafting a Better Future
Chibanda says part of celebrating African culture is by infusing in their products the rich heritage of traditional African textiles, creating culturally authentic and visually captivating items that connect people with diverse traditions. Additionally, says Chibanda: “We motivate individuals to make sustainable choices and inspire aspiring entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams while making a difference. Krafted Ink is special because it’s a blend of sustainability, culture, personalisation, quality, social consciousness and inspiration. We’re not just selling products; we’re crafting a better future, one beautifully designed item at a time.”
