Água de Pena is the parish where we’re based. It’s where we work in our studio, creating and growing I AM WORLD. It’s also a parish that has welcomed and supported us, and given us the space to take our approach to eco-decoration and textile circularity further.

Today, we opened ReVersão to the youngest participants.

We talked about clothes. About the clothes we wear, those we no longer wear and, above all, what happens to them afterwards.

We talked about reuse, upcycling, waste and transformation. We showed how SOMA comes into being and how textiles that no longer have a place in a wardrobe can take on a new function, a new form and a new lease of life in our eco-sofas.

And we talked about the world.

Because what we discard here doesn’t simply disappear. It often ends up overseas. It changes location, but the impact remains.

Perhaps this is one of the most important ideas we can pass on to the younger generation: something that no longer serves one purpose can serve another. The end may simply be the beginning of a ReVersão.

Amidst questions, observations and those ideas that only children can express so simply, mental, visual and profound impressions were left behind.

We do not know which ones will endure or what they might turn into. But we do know that today, 45 children walked into our workshop and looked at what we call ‘waste’ in a slightly different way.

And this is circularity.

This is ReVersão in action.

I AM WORLD is all of us.

13 August 2026

Água de Pena, Madeira

Waste and Recycling in Portugal:

• Total discarded: Around 200,000 tonnes per year, representing ≈ 4% of the country’s total waste.
• Waste disposal: Around 87% of this clothing ends up in landfill or is incinerated.
• Only a fraction is salvaged: Charities collect around 26,800 tonnes, but organised reuse accounts for only a small proportion of the total.

Children’s Fashion:

• Waste: Every year, around 17 million items of children’s clothing end up as waste in Portugal.
• Accumulation: By the age of 16, a child has accumulated more than 1,008 items of clothing.

What is reuse and why does it matter?

Reuse means giving clothes a second life. When you donate or sell your second-hand clothes, you prevent them from ending up in the rubbish. This saves water and energy.

Taken from the website: https://oec.world/en/profile/bilateral-product/used-clothing/reporter/usa

This page from the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC) shows the trade flows of second-hand clothing (HS 6309) relating to the United States, providing an insight into how the global second-hand clothing market works. It is an excellent resource for understanding the economic scale of this sector.

Let’s analyse each indicator.

1. What does ‘Used Clothing in the United States’ mean?

This profile refers to the customs code:

HS 6309 – Worn Clothing and Other Worn Articles

In other words:

• second-hand clothing;
• second-hand footwear;
• second-hand textiles intended for reuse.

It does not include textile waste for industrial recycling. It refers to clothing sold for reuse.

2. Exports – 960 million dollars

This is probably the most important figure.

Exports: $960M

This means that, between May 2025 and April 2026, the United States exported around $960 million worth of second-hand clothing.

This amounts to almost $1 billion in a single year.

It is a huge market.

3. US Share of Global Exports – 17.2%

This figure is even more impressive.

The US accounts for:

17.2% of global exports of second-hand clothing.

In other words,

almost one in every five items of second-hand clothing exported worldwide comes from the United States.

This is why the US is frequently linked to the ‘mitumba’ trade.

4. Top Destination – Guatemala

The main buyer of American second-hand clothing is:

Guatemala

Value:

186 million dollars

Much of this clothing:

• is consumed locally;
• is re-exported;
• is sorted again.

Not all of it goes directly to Africa.

There is a vast international redistribution network.

5. Fastest Growing Market – India

This indicator refers to:

the country that has seen the greatest increase in purchases of second-hand American clothing.

It was:

India

Increase:

+US$61.9 million

This may be due to:

• textile recycling;
• industrial reuse;
• sorting;
• resale.

India is one of the world’s largest centres for textile recycling.

6. Imports – 29.2 million

Although the US exports a great deal,

it also imports second-hand clothing.

Value:

29.2 million.

In other words,

it also receives second-hand clothing from other countries.

7. Top Origin – Pakistan

The US’s main supplier is:

Pakistan

11.2 million.

Why?

Because Pakistan:

• sorts;
• refurbishes;
• exports second-hand clothing;
• has a large textile industry.

8. Fastest Growing Origin – Mexico

Mexico was the country that saw the greatest increase in exports of second-hand clothing to the US.

9. ECI of the United States – 1.58

ECI stands for:

Economic Complexity Index

It is an indicator created by Harvard that measures a country’s economic sophistication.

The higher the figure:

• the greater the industrial know-how;
• the greater the technological capacity;
• the greater the diversity of production.

The US ranks:

8th in the world

10. Product Complexity – -0.23

This indicator measures the complexity of the product.

Second-hand clothing has a score of:

-0.23

Because it is a very simple product.

It does not require:

• high technology;
• engineering;
• complex manufacturing.

It is a product with low added value.

What does this page tell us about the global market?

We can visualise the journey of the clothing as a chain:

American consumers

↓

Donations

↓

Sorting companies

↓

Export

↓

Guatemala

India

Africa

Latin America

↓

Further sorting

↓

Mitumba markets

↓

End consumer

↓

Textile waste

Where does Ghana fit into this?

Although this page shows Guatemala as the main destination for US exports, this does not mean that Ghana is no longer one of the world’s largest markets for mitumba.

This is because:

• Ghana imports clothes from many countries (the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, China, amongst others);
• some of the clothes exported by the US may reach Ghana indirectly, passing first through sorting or redistribution centres in other countries;
• the OEC page shows only direct trade flows from the US.

Why is this information so important to the IAW?

This page helps to demonstrate that the issue is not only environmental, but also economic and logistical. The international trade in second-hand clothing is worth hundreds of millions of dollars and involves a global chain of collection, sorting, transport and resale.

For the IAW, this type of data makes it possible to clearly explain the difference between two realities:

• Second-hand clothing (mitumba) remains an economic resource as long as it can be reused and sold.
• Textile waste arises when a portion of this clothing no longer has any commercial value. It is this fraction that often ends up in landfill sites, on beaches, in rivers or is burnt.

It is precisely at this final stage that IAW intervenes, transforming textile waste into raw material (SOMA) for new products, preventing materials with no commercial value from becoming an environmental problem and extending their life cycle within a circular economy framework.

‘According to a recent report by the Observatory of Economic Complexity, Kenya recorded an average annual import bill of $203 million (26.3 billion shillings) for second-hand clothing in 2022, the highest in Africa.

Economy

It was followed by Ghana, with US$165.4 million (21.4 billion shillings), Tanzania with US$150 million (19.4 billion shillings), Angola with US$120 million (15.5 billion shillings), Nigeria with US$95 million (12.3 billion shillings) and Cameroon with US$94 million (12.2 billion shillings).

China is the main source of ‘mitumba’ imports from Kenya, according to the United Nations, followed by Pakistan, Canada, the United Kingdom, the USA, Poland, the United Arab Emirates, Germany and India, with the Republic of Korea rounding off the top 10.

In 2016, the presidents of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda decided to ban the import of ‘mitumba’ from 2019 onwards, with the aim of developing their domestic industries.”

This news highlights a very important aspect of the global market for second-hand clothing (mitumba) and helps us understand why countries such as Ghana and Kenya face so many challenges relating to textile waste.

What does each part mean?

1. Kenya imported $203 million worth of second-hand clothing in 2022

“Kenya had an average annual expenditure on imports of $203 million…”

This means that, in 2022, Kenya purchased around $203 million (approximately 26.3 billion Kenyan shillings) worth of second-hand clothing from other countries.

It is the largest importer of second-hand clothing in Africa.

Other countries follow:

• 🇰🇪 Kenya – $203 million
• 🇬🇭 Ghana – $165.4 million
• 🇹🇿 Tanzania – $150 million
• 🇦🇴 Angola – $120 million
• 🇳🇬 Nigeria – $95 million
• 🇨🇲 Cameroon – $94 million

This shows that there is a huge international trade in second-hand clothing to Africa.

2. What is ‘Mitumba’?

‘Mitumba’ is the term used in East Africa (particularly in Kenya and Tanzania) to refer to:

• second-hand clothing
• used clothing
• clothing from donations or surplus stock

Much of this clothing arrives in compressed bales.

Traders buy the bales without knowing exactly what they contain.

3. Where do these clothes come from?

According to the report:

1. China
2. Pakistan
3. Canada
4. the United Kingdom
5. the United States
6. Poland
7. the United Arab Emirates
8. Germany
9. India
10. South Korea

This may come as a surprise, as second-hand clothes are usually associated only with Europe or the US.

In reality, many of these countries act as:

• collection centres,
• sorting centres,
• re-export hubs,
• or countries producing textile surpluses.

China ranks first because it also exports large quantities of surplus from its own textile industry and acts as a redistribution hub.

4. Why do African countries buy so much second-hand clothing?

There are several reasons:

It is very cheap

A second-hand item can cost the importer as little as a few cents.

It is then resold in local markets.

Many people cannot afford to buy new clothes

In many African countries, second-hand clothing is the most affordable option.

There is huge demand

Entire markets thrive on this trade.

Thousands of families depend on it for their livelihoods.

5. But where is the problem?

Here is the most important part.

Not all imported clothing can be sold.

Studies show that a significant proportion arrives:

• torn;
• stained;
• overly worn;
• unsuitable for the climate;
• with no commercial value whatsoever.

These clothes immediately become waste.

This is exactly what happens in places such as:

• Kantamanto Market (Accra, Ghana)
• Dandora (Kenya)

The waste ends up:

• in rubbish dumps,
• rivers,
• beaches,
• or is burnt.

6. Why did they want to ban the imports?

In 2016, the presidents of:

• Burundi
• Kenya
• Rwanda
• Tanzania
• Uganda

decided that they wanted to ban the import of mitumba from 2019.

The aim was to develop the local textile industry.

The idea was simple:

Instead of buying second-hand clothing from abroad,

➡ produce local clothing;

➡ create jobs;

➡ strengthen domestic factories;

➡ reduce dependence on imports.

7. Why did this ban ultimately fail to go ahead in full?

Because there were several obstacles:

International pressure

The United States strongly opposed the measure, as it exports large quantities of second-hand clothing to these markets.

Economic impact

Thousands of traders earn a living from selling ‘mitumba’.

An immediate ban could destroy many small businesses.

The local industry was not yet ready

Domestic factories were unable to produce enough clothing, or at competitive prices, to quickly replace imports.

What does this news mean for IAW?

This information reinforces the importance of I AM WORLD’s work.

IAW’s focus is not on preventing second-hand clothing from being reused, but on intervening in the fraction that no longer has commercial value. When clothing reaches the end of its life cycle and becomes waste, it can be diverted from landfill and the environment to be transformed into new materials, such as SOMA filling, giving rise to eco-friendly home décor and sustainable furniture.

This news item also highlights an important distinction:

• Mitumba = second-hand clothing intended for resale (it still has potential for reuse).
• Textile waste = clothing that can no longer be worn or sold.

It is precisely within this second category that projects such as IAW can generate the greatest environmental, economic and social impact, integrating these materials into a true circular economy.

Others are born from a need.

And there are those that end up transforming much more than they initially imagined.

It is precisely this story that is now coming to life through the documentary “Everything Adds Up, Nothing Is Lost,” a production that explores the world of I AM WORLD and invites the audience to view sustainability from a different perspective.

Without seeking to provide immediate answers, the documentary makes room for something new entering the world (The ReVersion Concept®). Throughout this journey, we are invited to discover people, ideas, challenges, and encounters that, little by little, have shaped a project that today brings together the environment, creativity, community, and innovation.

Directed by Cristina Vieira, with an original soundtrack by Nuno Filipe, this work brings together months of dedication, sensitivity, and a keen eye for what often goes unnoticed.

More than just a story about textile waste, it’s about choices.

More than just showing objects, it reveals people.

More than just presenting a project, it invites us to think about the impact that every small action can have when it joins forces with others that share the same purpose.

For Sofia Correia, founder of I AM WORLD, this documentary marks a very special moment.

“To imagine that one day the story of I AM WORLD could be told on the big screen, in this way. More than just a documentary, I see it as an invitation to discover what happens in the dynamic interaction among community members before the final product emerges: the people, the challenges, the doubts, the achievements, and the willingness to believe that it’s possible to do things differently.”

I AM WORLD extends its deepest gratitude to everyone who agreed to be part of this production—partners, institutions, companies, artisans, the technical team, and all the people who, in some way, contributed to making this story possible.

Because no transformation happens on its own.

And because, just as we’ve believed since day one, everything adds up and nothing is lost.

Soon, this story will be shared.

Until then… we simply invite you to discover it for yourself.

Teaser

It was with great honor and enthusiasm that I AM WORLD participated in Paphos, Cyprus, as part of the Smarties for SMEs – Pills of Sustainable, Smart, Regenerative Tourism to Empower SMEs in the EU Mediterranean Area project, an initiative dedicated to promoting sustainable and regenerative practices in European tourism.

As part of the group, with ACIF (Dr. Frederica Cardoso and Dr. Roland Bachmeier), this participation represented a unique opportunity to present the I AM WORLD – The ReVersion Concept, Madeira, to a network of innovative projects with a major impact on sustainability and the regeneration of territories.

During the event, I AM WORLD stood out for its work in textile circularity, involving Madeiran companies, institutions, and creators in the construction of a new paradigm of sustainable consumption and creation. This collective and creative effort was recognized with 3rd place in the Innovative Project category, a moment of pride that reinforces the value of innovation with identity and purpose.

The trip to Paphos also featured two other prominent Madeiran projects—Roberto Varela, with Canto das Fontes @cantodasfontes, and João Silva, with his Veggie Burgers @veggie.hamburgueres. Both represent the creative energy and entrepreneurial vision that characterize the new landscape of sustainability and innovation in Madeira, in accommodation and in healthy, sustainable, practical (plant-based) functional food that is easy to prepare and intuitive.

This recognition in Paphos is another step in I AM WORLD’s mission: to inspire change through creativity, collaboration, and commitment to a more sustainable and conscious future. 🌍✨

As we sought to learn more about local working conditions in the textile sector, we quickly noticed a pattern: information is scarce, and people avoid talking about it. There is an atmosphere of tight control, where the most powerful maintain their dominance, and the most disadvantaged continue to be exploited with extremely low wages and little prospect of improvement.

Although we did not identify any textile factories in Sylhet, the streets are lined with clothing and shoe stores, many of which sell well-known brands—in plain sight, on makeshift stalls or in small street shops.

One of the most striking aspects is the presence of very young children working as salespeople in these spaces. This reality, as visible as it is normalized locally, leads us to an essential question:
How can we continue to consume fashion, knowing that so often it is based on someone’s sacrificed childhood?

It is not about blame. It is about rethinking.

This is not a text intended to point fingers. Rather, it is an invitation to conscious reflection:
– What can we, as consumers, do to have a real impact on change? – What role do brands, creators, and companies play in building fairer and more transparent production models?
– How can we support models that promote decent work, education, and local training, rather than perpetuating cycles of exploitation?

A different future is possible

The future of fashion can be built differently—without losing its essential role for humans and society. Conscious choices in fabric quality and the intention behind each garment become pillars of a new paradigm: Eco Fashion. A fashion guided by ethics, responsibility, and durability, creating a versatile, useful wardrobe aligned with the identity of the wearer — at any stage of life or personal context.

Textiles are present in almost every aspect of our daily lives: they provide comfort, health, beauty, and hygiene. They are an extension of our body and, often, a reflection of our soul. Therefore, dressing is much more than covering up — it is expressing who we are.

If we want to choose differently, to achieve different results, we must start by facing these realities head-on and identifying patterns of fast, inefficient, and unconsciously impulsive consumption. Only then can we make room for different alternatives that can be far more lasting, meaningful, sustainable, humane, and truly transformative.

ReVersão starts here: by deciding and acting differently, by acting in the opposite polarity.

During one of our awareness-raising activities on the environmental impacts of textile consumption, held at a school in the region, I AM CIRCULAR was born spontaneously and affectionately—the result of the children’s creativity and the involvement of the teaching team—a textile recycling point that is already up and running! The protagonist of this inspiring initiative is EB1/PE da Quinta Grande, the first school in Madeira to join the I AM WORLD – The ReVersion Concept movement. Students and teachers came together in a concrete ecological gesture, embracing the commitment to ReVersion — the change necessary for a more sustainable future.