Navi Mumbai has become the first city in India to implement an innovative project for managing used clothing, with 250 housing societies participating in the initiative. Special collection bins are being installed across these societies to encourage the responsible disposal and recycling of old clothes.
As fashion trends evolve rapidly, the lifespan of clothing has decreased, leading to a surge in textile waste. To tackle this growing issue, the Textile Committee under the Ministry of Textiles, in collaboration with the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), has launched a pioneering initiative to process and repurpose discarded clothing into valuable products.This project is being executed as part of corporate social responsibility.
In the first phase, 49 collection bins have already been placed in 47 housing societies, with additional bins to be installed gradually. A dedicated vehicle has also been arranged for collecting used textiles from these societies and various 3R centers. The collected materials will be processed at a textile recycling center set up at the Shakuntala Mahajan Multipurpose Building in CBD Belapur, Sector 2.
Through the efforts of Tisser Artisan Trust, discarded textiles will be carefully sorted and upcycled using handloom techniques to create new products. These items will then be showcased and sold in markets, with the support of women’s self-help groups. This initiative not only promotes sustainable waste management but also provides employment opportunities, particularly for women.
Citizens are encouraged to donate items such as pants, shirts, jackets, socks, pajamas, skirts, dresses, children’s clothing, bedsheets, towels, blankets, comforters, and curtains. However, certain items like dirty or contaminated clothes, medical textiles, sanitary pads, mattresses, leather goods, industrial fabrics, and undergarments will not be accepted.
With this initiative, Navi Mumbai is taking a significant step towards sustainability, reducing the burden on waste management sites while creating economic opportunities for artisans. Municipal Commissioner Dr. Kailas Shinde has urged residents to actively participate by depositing their usable discarded clothing in the designated bins in their societies or at the nearest 3R center. This project stands as a proud moment for the city, further cementing Navi Mumbai’s reputation for successfully implementing innovative and socially responsible initiatives.
