In his latest ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised concerns about the rising problem of textile waste and the global shift towards fast fashion, emphasizing its impact on the environment.
PM Modi pointed out that the trend of discarding old clothes quickly and purchasing new ones has led to a surge in textile waste worldwide. He highlighted research indicating that less than 1% of discarded textiles are recycled into new clothing.
“India is the third-largest producer of textile waste globally. This presents a major challenge, but I am glad to see several innovative solutions emerging in our country,” he said.
The Prime Minister lauded startups and organizations working on textile recovery, empowering ragpickers, and promoting sustainable fashion. He praised initiatives where:
- Old clothes and footwear are being recycled and distributed to the needy.
- Decorative items, handbags, stationery, and toys are crafted from textile waste.
- Circular fashion brands and cloth rental platforms are gaining popularity.
PM Modi recognized the efforts of three Indian cities excelling in textile waste management:
- Panipat, Haryana – Emerging as a global hub for textile recycling.
- Bengaluru, Karnataka – Known for tech-driven textile waste collection, managing over half of the country’s textile waste.
- Tirupur, Tamil Nadu – Focused on wastewater treatment and renewable energy to handle textile waste sustainably.
PM Modi urged citizens to become more conscious of their clothing consumption habits and support eco-friendly fashion choices to help tackle the growing textile waste crisis.