For the first time in India, an innovative project focused on managing discarded clothing has been launched in Navi Mumbai, with 250 housing societies participating in the first phase. With changing fashion trends shortening the lifespan of clothes, textile waste has increased significantly. To tackle this issue, the Textile Committee under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, has initiated a project to process and repurpose old clothes, reducing waste while promoting sustainability.
The project promotes sustainable textile management by transforming discarded garments into valuable products. It aims to generate employment, particularly empowering women through self-help groups. In the initial phase, 250 housing societies will have designated collection bins for old clothes. So far, 49 bins have been installed across 47 societies with support from the municipal corporation and partnering organizations. A dedicated vehicle has been arranged to collect used clothing from these societies and the city's 3R Centers. The collected textiles will be processed at the Textile Processing Center in the Shakuntala Mahajan Multipurpose Building, CBD Belapur.
The Tisser Artisan Trust will upcycle reusable clothing using handloom techniques, creating new products that will be displayed and sold in markets. This initiative will not only reduce waste management burdens but also create sustainable employment opportunities.
Residents are encouraged to donate clean clothing such as pants, shirts, jackets, dresses, children's wear, towels, bed linens, and blankets. However, contaminated garments, medical-use clothing, sanitary pads, mattresses, leather goods, shoes, belts, and undergarments will not be accepted.
Municipal Commissioner Dr. Kailas Shinde has urged citizens to actively participate by depositing their old clothes in collection bins or at the nearest 3R Center, contributing to the success of this eco-friendly initiative.
This initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), SBI Foundation Ltd., IDH India Hub Pvt. Ltd., and Tisser Artisan Trust.