The complicated truth about sending donated cloth to developing countries

Sir, – It is good to learn that charity shops in Ireland earn €73 million per annum. It is sad to learn that attempts to recycle donated cloth are time-consuming and often wasteful.

Schools, scouting organisations and other community groups raise funds by donating clothes to companies that process them into ropes and also sell second hand in shops in the developing world. These latter may be for charity, but often are purely commercial.

In Zambia recycled clothing is called salaula. In one such shop I saw clothing donated from Scandinavia suitable for men, women and children. But also on offer were absurd items only suitable for a harsh winter climate, such as fur hats, skiwear and fleece-lined jackets.

Aid agencies have argued that sending donated clothing to Africa, Asia and Latin America can disrupt local textile industries based on cotton and animal wool sourced in those continents. Other commentators have complained that cotton plantations cover land that could be better used for producing food.

There are no easy answers. Recycled cloth made into rope has helped fishermen to catch fish. Processed cloth has insulated tin-roofed dwellings in urban shanty towns. Organisations such as Habitat for Humanity encourage replacement of substandard slum dwellings with bricks, cement and proper roofing. – Yours, etc,

GARRETH BYRNE,

Dromahair,

Co Leitrim.