Fast fashion giant SHEIN has launched a new foundation, pledging over $5 million to address the global textile waste crisis and empower communities. This move comes amid growing scrutiny of the company’s environmental and social practices, particularly its rapid growth and the environmental impact of its business model.
The brand’s commitment of €5 million (US$5.30 million) is to the Africa Collect Textiles (ACT) Foundation, the charitable arm of Africa Collect Textiles (ACT), a social enterprise that has developed a used textiles collection and recycling pilot programme in Kenya.
The SHEIN Foundation

According to the company, the SHEIN Foundation is a non-profit organisation that aims to foster more inclusive and sustainable communities in places where SHEIN operates and will be the philanthropic arm of the SHEIN Group. With the establishment of the SHEIN Foundation, the company will seek to consolidate its previous philanthropic commitments under the foundation, where appropriate and aligned with its mission.
Over the past few years, SHEIN’s philanthropic commitments have supported causes and organisations that address social and environmental issues. This includes social impact donations under the SHEIN Cares initiative that focuses on promoting women’s empowerment and gender equality, supporting the holistic development of children, and alleviating poverty, as well as grants under its Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Fund to tackle global textile waste and further the development of a more circular fashion ecosystem, particularly in communities in the Global South impacted by the issue. Between 2021 and 2024, SHEIN disbursed over US$26 million towards social and environmental impact initiatives under these two commitments.
Donald Tang, SHEIN’s Executive Chairman, emphasised the brand’s company philanthropic effort, “Empowering and giving back to the communities we reach has always been core to our operating philosophy. Establishing the SHEIN Foundation and thereby consolidating our charitable efforts under a formal philanthropic structure brings greater accountability and transparency to our donations. This also strengthens our ability to direct our charitable giving in a more impactful and sustained manner to better support causes and organisations that align with our values.”
SHEIN Foundation’s Priorities
The SHEIN Foundation will work to build more inclusive communities and sustainable ecosystems, focusing its support on organisations aligned with its charitable purposes, which include, in part, the following missions:
- Improving Lives in Communities: Focusing on women, young people, and the underserved to overcome systemic challenges, uplift communities and create more equitable opportunities for a more inclusive future where everyone can reach their full potential.
- Protecting Biodiversity: Addressing the challenges of biodiversity and habitat loss arising from climate change by protecting, restoring, and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
- Advancing Sustainable Change: Investing in research and supporting the development and implementation of new innovations and strategies in environmental and social sustainability, to catalyse scalable solutions that aim to accelerate the transition to a more circular and sustainable fashion industry.
Africa Collect Textiles Foundation
The SHEIN Foundation’s funding to the ACT Foundation will support initiatives to boost textile recycling in Africa. This includes establishing a network of convenient donation drop-off points, creating jobs for local communities (particularly youth and women) in the textile collection, sorting, and upcycling, developing improved recycling infrastructure to handle larger volumes of waste, and conducting community outreach programs to educate and engage the public about textile recycling and upcycling opportunities.
Elmar Stroomer, Director of the ACT Foundation, stated, “This project will contribute immensely to our mission to reduce textile waste and close the loop on a more circular fashion ecosystem. Through this project, 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.”
The ACT Foundation grant is consistent with the objective of SHEIN’s EPR Fund to support waste management efforts in communities impacted by global textile waste. It will now be managed by the SHEIN Foundation. The EPR Fund had previously provided grants to The Or Foundation and the Untours Foundation, which supported KaTik, a Cambodian initiative that collaborates with social enterprises to upcycle textile waste.
Beyond the Bottom Line
SHEIN has faced criticism for its rapid growth, impact on garment workers, and environmental footprint. The company has been accused of contributing to overconsumption, greenwashing, and exploiting workers.
This new foundation represents a significant step for SHEIN. It acknowledges the environmental and social challenges associated with the fashion industry and is committed to addressing them.
The Road Ahead

The success of the SHEIN Foundation will depend on its ability to deliver tangible results, demonstrate transparency and accountability, and address the root causes of the issues it seeks to tackle.
This initiative presents an opportunity for SHEIN to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. However, to truly address its challenges, the company must go beyond philanthropy and make fundamental changes to its business model.