Liz Ricketts

Liz Ricketts is a prominent figure in the realms of environmental justice and sustainable fashion as the co-founder and executive director of The Or Foundation, a non-profit organization based in both the USA and Ghana. Under her guidance, The Or Foundation has undertaken the ambitious Dead White Man’s Clothes (DWMC) project, a comprehensive, multi-year investigation focusing on the lifecycle of clothing within the Kantamanto market in Accra, Ghana, recognized as the world’s largest secondhand clothing market.

The organization operates through three pivotal areas: transforming material waste, providing direct relief, and conducting ecotoxicology research and remediation. Liz’s leadership has been instrumental in collaborating with the local community to foster a Justice-led Circular Textiles Economy in Accra. Recently, she spearheaded the Stop Waste Colonialism campaign, advocating for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies that prioritize global accountability. This initiative aims to ensure that the shift towards circularity does not come at the cost of human rights or environmental degradation.

Through her work, Liz Ricketts has become a vital advocate for sustainable practices in the fashion industry, promoting equity and environmental stewardship. For more information on her impactful work, visit theor.org and stopwastecolonialism.org.