Tuesday, October 20

Wednesday, October 21

Thursday, October 22

This presentation examines how potential developments under the Basel Convention could affect different operators across the second-hand clothing and textile supply chain, from collectors, sorters and exporters in origin countries to importers, distributors, wholesalers, market traders, recyclers and waste-management operators in destination countries.

Drawing on supply-chain research and field evidence, the presentation will demonstrate why where and how used textiles are classified as waste matters. Changes to definitions, technical guidelines or transboundary movement requirements could have very different implications depending on where an operator sits in the value chain, potentially affecting trade procedures, costs, market access and the movement of material intended for reuse, recycling or disposal.

The presentation will also highlight why direct participation in the Basel process is critical. Decisions should be informed by evidence from the operators who collect, sort, trade, reuse and recycle these materials in practice. Greater engagement from industry associations, businesses and stakeholders—particularly from importing and exporting countries—can help ensure that policymakers understand how the supply chain actually functions and the potential consequences of different policy options.

The objective is therefore not only to explain what Basel could mean for the sector, but also why the sector needs to participate now, communicate the evidence clearly and ensure that the perspectives of operators throughout the supply chain are represented as the discussions progress.