April 11, New Delhi — India generates nearly 7.8 million metric tonnes of post-consumer textile waste annually, highlighting the scale of fabric use across households and industries. With increasing focus on the circular economy and resource efficiency, municipalities are exploring solutions to reduce landfill waste.
Under the Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban 2.0, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation has set up India’s first Textile Recovery Facility (TRF), creating an integrated system for textile waste management.
The facility has been designed as a comprehensive circular ecosystem, combining collection, sorting, technology, and livelihood generation.
The pilot project, titled "Sustainability and Circularity in Textiles Value Chain by Managing Post Consumer Textile," has been initiated by the Textile Committee under the Union Ministry of Textiles. It is being implemented in collaboration with the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation, SBI Foundation, IDH, and Tisser Artisan Trust.
The model begins with decentralized collection through branded textile bins installed across housing societies in all eight municipal wards. More than 140 bins have been deployed so far to encourage citizen participation.
A digital tracking system, supported by a dedicated MIS platform under development, enables mapping of each item from donation to end-use product, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Collected textiles are segregated based on fabric type, color, and condition. They are then sanitized before being processed further.
Usable fabrics are upcycled into bags, mats, apparel, accessories, and home décor items by women from self-help groups. These products are later showcased and sold at exhibitions, giving new life to discarded materials.
The Textile Recovery Facility in Navi Mumbai is emerging as a model for other urban local bodies while also creating livelihood opportunities for skilled women.
Photo Source: X/@PIB_India