Textile Commissioner, Vrunda Desai Champions ‘Freedom from Unused Garments’ Movement
Marking India’s 80th Independence Day, Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI), in collaboration with ReFiber, powered by OterRi, Tisser Artisan Trust, UNIDO and Lions International, successfully launched a nationwide ‘Freedom from Unused Garments’ collection drive to raise awareness and encourage action on post-consumer textile waste.
Highlighting the scale and urgency of the issue during an online stakeholder meeting, Vrunda Desai, Textile Commissioner, Ministry of Textiles, said, “We generate around 70 lakh tonnes of textile waste annually, with nearly 58% arising after consumer use. Every discarded garment represents valuable resources such as fiber, water, energy, chemicals, transportation and human effort. Freedom from wasteful consumption, resource inefficiency and unsustainable habits is the need of the hour. I really appreciate this initiative, which provides citizens a simple digital platform to schedule doorstep collection of unused garments.”
Santosh Katariya, President, CMAI, said, “Today, we are looking at freedom from waste and freedom from unnecessary landfills. Instead of garments ending up in landfills, we can recover their value through collection, recycling and upcycling. Through this campaign, we are not only protecting the environment but also creating opportunities for social empowerment. By calling upon citizens to donate garments that are no longer in use, we are giving them an opportunity to contribute to a more circular and responsible textile ecosystem.”
Naveen Sainani, Hon. General Secretary, CMAI & Chairman – ESG, said, “Today is not merely the launch of a waste collection drive. It is the beginning of a moment to change the way we look at textile waste. The collected garments will be channelled towards recycling, upcycling and other productive applications, helping reduce textile waste and minimise the burden on landfills. Collection is only the first step. The real success will come when consumers understand that a garment lying unused in their cupboard can have another purpose.”
The ‘Freedom from Unused Garments’ drive underscores the need for collective action among consumers, industry, civil society and government to accelerate the transition towards a more circular textile economy. It further strengthens CMAI’s ongoing commitment to advancing sustainability and textile circularity through collaborative initiatives with industry and social-sector partners.
