Navi Mumbai leads India’s first post-consumer textile upcycling project

This effort addresses the growing issue of textile waste while promoting sustainability and employment generation.

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has launched an innovative initiative aimed at upcycling discarded clothes into new products, making Navi Mumbai the first city in India to implement a post-consumer textile management project. This effort addresses the growing issue of textile waste while promoting sustainability and employment generation.

Usable clothing items such as pants, shirts, jackets, dresses, children’s wear, blankets, bedsheets, and towels will be collected from residents. However, soiled or medical waste textiles, sanitary items, mattresses, leather accessories, and industrial fabrics are excluded from collection.

The project, initiated in collaboration with the Textile Committee of the Government of India, will focus on collecting, processing, and upcycling used garments through traditional handloom techniques. The refurbished products will then be introduced into the market for sale, with women’s self-help groups playing a crucial role in the process.

NMMC has partnered with SBI Foundation, IDH India Hub, and Tisser Artisan Trust for this initiative. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed among these organizations to ensure seamless execution. The initiative was officially inaugurated on October 11, 2024, and later received national recognition for its contribution to sustainable textile waste management.

To facilitate collection, the first phase of the project includes the installation of special collection bins in 250 housing societies across Navi Mumbai. Currently, 49 bins have been placed in 47 societies, with further expansion planned. Dedicated vehicles will transport the collected textiles to the Textile Recycling Centre in CBD Belapur for processing.

Residents are encouraged to participate by depositing their usable discarded garments in designated bins or at nearby 3R Centres. This initiative not only aims to reduce landfill waste but also seeks to create new employment opportunities, positioning it as a model for sustainable textile waste management in India.

News source: The Free Press Journal