New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his latest ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address, shed light on the growing issue of textile waste and the impact of fast fashion, urging citizens to embrace sustainable fashion choices.
Textile Waste: A Growing Global Concern
PM Modi noted that the trend of discarding old clothes quickly and buying new ones is rising worldwide, contributing to massive textile waste.
“Have you ever thought what happens to the old clothes that you stop wearing? This becomes textile waste,” he said.
Citing research, he pointed out that less than 1% of textile waste is recycled into new clothing.
🚨 India ranks as the third-largest textile waste producer globally, making it a major challenge for the country.
India’s Efforts to Combat Textile Waste
Despite this challenge, PM Modi praised several Indian startups and organizations working on textile recovery and recycling initiatives.
🛠️ Startups & Innovations
- Many young entrepreneurs are involved in sustainable fashion, recycling old clothes into useful products like handbags, toys, and stationery.
- Some teams are helping ragpickers by providing employment through textile recycling.
🏭 Cities Leading the Change
PM Modi highlighted:
- Panipat, Haryana – Emerging as a global hub for textile recycling
- Bengaluru, Karnataka – Pioneering tech-driven textile waste collection
- Tirupur, Tamil Nadu – Managing textile waste through wastewater treatment & renewable energy
Clothing Rental & Circular Fashion Trends
The Prime Minister also praised the rise of cloth rental platforms, where people can rent designer outfits instead of buying new ones.
“There are many such teams that are also working for the empowerment of our ragpicker brothers and sisters. Many young friends are involved in the efforts towards sustainable fashion. They recycle old clothes and footwear and distribute them to the needy.”
A Call for Responsible Fashion Choices
PM Modi urged people to:
✅ Adopt circular fashion by repairing and reusing clothes
✅ Support sustainable brands that promote ethical fashion
✅ Reduce textile waste by recycling and upcycling garments
With India emerging as a leader in textile waste management, PM Modi’s message serves as a wake-up call to embrace eco-friendly fashion choices and sustainability.