India’s rich textile heritage is now facing a growing environmental challenge — the vast amounts of discarded clothing piling up in landfills. With around 7.8 million tonnes of textile waste generated every year — making up 8.5% of the world’s total — India has a serious problem on its hands.
Unlike biodegradable waste, synthetic fabrics don’t break down easily — they can sit in landfills for centuries, slowly releasing harmful chemicals and microplastics into our soil and water. The rise of fast fashion has only made things worse, flooding the market with cheaply made clothes that don’t last long. And with no formal policy on textile waste management, our already strained waste systems are grappling with the burden.
However, the good news is that a sustainable solution is within reach. By rethinking how we dispose of old clothes and embracing a circular economy that focuses on reuse, recycling, and upcycling, we can be part of the change.
What to do with unwanted clothes in your closet?
Across India, a growing number of organisations are stepping up to give clothes a second life. Whether you want to donate, recycle, or upcycle, there are plenty of ways to declutter your wardrobe responsibly — and help reduce textile waste while you’re at it.
Delhi NCR
- Clothes Box Foundation: They will pick up your unwanted clothes and redistribute them to those in need or transform them into essential items like blankets and school bags.
- Uday Foundation: Accepts a wide range of donations to support underserved communities.
- Respun: Focuses on large-scale textile recycling while promoting rural employment.
Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad
- Oh Scrap Madras, Chennai: Collects garment waste directly from industrial sources, turning it into new, usable products and preventing fabric scraps from reaching landfills.
- Rimagined, Bengaluru: If you are looking for a creative upcycling option, Rimagined is your go-to. They transform discarded clothing into unique home decor and new garments.
- Gāiaa Living, Hyderabad: Hosts monthly collection drives for thrift store items, and the rest is sent for recycling.
Kolkata
- Twirl.store: Provides drop boxes and free national pickups.
- Additionally, many community-based organisations in areas like Park Circus and Kidderpore organise regular clothing donation drives.
Support large-scale recycling efforts
- Goonj: Provides large-scale support to underserved communities with a wide range of materials. They have already reused more than 63 million kgs of textile waste!
- Share at Doorstep: Allows users to donate pre-owned items like clothes, toys, books, and furniture directly from their doorstep to those in need across India
Empower women through upcycling
SilaiWali: Empowers refugee women by transforming textile waste into handcrafted dolls, providing both economic support and sustainable solutions.
So, before you throw away the old clothes that clutter your wardrobe, you can always check for the nearest option that allows you to take a step towards a circular economy — reducing waste while also supporting those in need.
Edited by Khushi Arora
