Intro & Background i i

Hastkala- CSR initiative to convert waste material into handcrafted and i i i i i i i i i

embroidered home décor is an initiative that focuses on waste generated

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from the textile industry that involves leftover cloth material that can be
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used and converted into home décor items after embroidery by women.
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These handcrafted items can be shown at a trade fair, export fair, and
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cultural events. We can also sell these items in overseas markets as a

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brand that reduces waste, financially supports SHG and promotes fading
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handicrafts from the rural region. So, in this project, we will be focusing on
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the untapped potential of textile waste in India, and how it can be used to
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address major issues related to the environment, fading handcraft culture,

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and lack of consistent employment for women involved in handicraft work.

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Textile waste is acquired from a variety of sources, sorted, and treated

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based on its state, makeup, and potential value. Recycling clothing is a

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subset of recycling textiles. For sorting and processing, it involved

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reclaiming used garments and shoes. End goods include reusable

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garments, rags or pieces of cloth, and fibrous material. Due to

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environmental awareness and pressure from landfills, interest in recycling

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clothing is fast increasing. It also presents a business opportunity for

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entrepreneurs. Additionally, a number of charities make money through

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their efforts to collect used clothing.

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Wastewater effluent is produced as a result of the textile industry. The i i i i i i i i i i i

wastewater discharge also contains solvents, most of which are organic,

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along with used oils and colouring agents. Another sort of garbage that is
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produced is solid waste, such as clothing that has been covered in grease
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and oil. These waste products from the textile industry are harmful and
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hazardous to the environment. To decrease the negative consequences of

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textile waste and provide a safe environment, these wastes must be

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utilised in sustainable ways. The use of waste from the textile industry to
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produce electricity is one example of this kind of exploitation. Through the

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oxidation of chemicals, microbial fuel cells (MFCs) may be used to convert

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chemical energy in effluents to electrical energy. Microorganisms are used

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in MFCs to oxidise the chemicals and create power.

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Up to 7800 kilotons of textile trash are generated in India each year. Of this
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quantity, the majority—an estimated 51%—comes from Indian consumers

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and is classified as post-consumer waste, with industrial waste and offcuts

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accounting for 42% of the total. Imported waste makes up the remaining
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7%. Only 59% of the textile waste in India finds its way back into the textile
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sector through reuse and recycling, and only a small portion makes it back
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into the global supply chain. India generates 8.5% of the world's textile
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waste. In the United States, just 15% of worn textiles like clothing are
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recycled or reused. The remaining 85% are immediately sent to a landfill or

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an incinerator. This pollutes waterways, wastes limited resources, and

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contributes to climate change.

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Steps were taken for recycling textile waste

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Panipat commonly referred to as the capital of global textile recycling, is

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arguably one of India's most important, prosperous, and historically

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significant industrial textile recycling hubs. Every year, this business

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recycles over 1,44,000 tons of second-hand clothes (SHC) that are

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dumped by several affluent countries. Low-quality items like blankets,

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shawls, carpets, etc. are made using a significant quantity of textile waste,
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particularly SHC. A lot of carpet producers, suppliers of fibre and

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chemicals, recycling businesses, and academic organizations actively

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pursue different strategies to recycle fibrous waste. The methods employ

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both mechanical and chemical procedures.

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d. Data and Research Methodology:

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We have collected secondary data for the study. From the data, we can see
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that the total textile waste generated in India is 7,739KTon from which
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about 42% is pre-consumer waste which will be sampled in this project.

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The pre-consumer waste is also divided into four major categories:

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spinning, waste, mill waste, RMG, waste and dead stocks. Spinning waste
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contributes about 19% of the total waste The spinning waste majorly
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comprises cotton, and dead waste and the ways that is been generated is
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while processing of the fabrics in the manufacturing sites. The milling

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waste is about 8%. It is mostly yarn waste and fabric, trimming and salvage
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waste.
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RMG waste is the waste that is generated while the cloth is fully processed
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and cutting of the cloth happens. These are generally the small cuttings
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that have been produced in the pre-consumer manufacturing.

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And last is dead stock or dance, old garment inventory. Let’s talk is
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basically used in small industries for generation of energy that is, they can
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be used as a source of fire or energy and brick industries.

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Source :- https://reports.fashionforgood.com/report/sorting-for-circularity-india-wealth-in-waste/
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PROBLEM STATEMENT i

In India, textile waste is a major issue. The Central Pollution Control Board
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(CPCB) reported in 2021 that India produces over 15.31 million metric tonnes of
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textile waste annually. This accounts for a considerable amount of the nation's
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overall garbage production.

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Different types of textiles, such as clothes, home textiles, and other textiles, can be
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used to make textile waste. The garment and home textiles sectors in India are
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responsible for the vast majority of textile waste.

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If textile waste is not managed appropriately, it could have a harmful effect on the
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environment. For instance, it may cause pollution, contribute to litter, and occupy
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landfill space. Furthermore, the manufacture of textiles may have an effect on the
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environment through the use of resources like water and energy, the discharge of
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pollutants, and the creation of greenhouse gas emissions.

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The issue of textile waste is being addressed in India through a number of

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measures, including campaigns to boost recycling and encourage the use of

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environmentally friendly fabrics.

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Along with this, the issue of a declining handicraft culture that may result in the
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loss of traditional knowledge and skills will also be taken into account. Handmade
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crafts have a long history in many rural communities, and these talents are
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frequently passed down from one generation to the next. These abilities and
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knowledge may be lost if handcraft culture declines, which may negatively affect
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these groups' sense of cultural identity. Additionally, handicrafts are frequently a

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significant means of expressing cultural identity, therefore losing them might

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result in the loss of cultural traditions and legacy.

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Another problem statement involves the lack of consistent employment for

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women working in the handicraft sector. Because handicraft labor is frequently

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seasonal or part-time, women do not have year-round employment. They may find
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it challenging to create future plans as a result, which may result in financial

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instability.
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OBJECTIVE

ꞏ To convert the defected and reworked material, cut pieces into

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embroidered/handcrafted home décor stuff.

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We may lessen the amount of waste produced and the damaging

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effects of waste on the environment by turning discarded materials

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into home design products. Second, it is a cost-effective way to

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develop new goods. The business can minimize production costs

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and sell products for less by using materials that would otherwise be
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thrown away. Customers and the business may both profit from this.
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ꞏ To create SHGs of women from weaker sections of rural areas and

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financially support them by providing handicraft work.

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By establishing self-help groups and offering handicraft jobs as a

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source of income for women from the underprivileged segment of

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society, we may encourage regional economic growth and contribute

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to the general development of the community. Self-help groups and

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the provision of handcraft labour can empower women while also

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having positive social and cultural effects. It can foster a sense of

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belonging and solidarity among the women and aid in the

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preservation of cultural traditions and traditional crafts.

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ꞏ iiiiiii To recognize and promote the dying handicraft of the Jammu and
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Kashmir region.
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 By supporting these crafts, we may aid in the preservation of the
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region's rich cultural history. Handicrafts are a significant component

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of the cultural identity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

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Promoting the region's vanishing handicrafts can also aid in

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spreading awareness of them and the value of maintaining cultural

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heritage. We can ensure that these crafts are not lost and that they
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survive in the future by drawing attention to them.

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Topic & Why others should be interested in the project?

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Topic: - CSR initiative to convert waste material into handcrafted and

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embroidered home decor.

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We will be delivering the unrealized potential of textile waste with the aid of
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this project. Since sustainability is now a priority for every organization,

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textiles in India are among the most significant industries. In light of the
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current scenario, we will repurpose this waste material to create items that
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can be used as bedsheet covers, home décor, and other common items.
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Even after learning about the harmful effects of trash, only 50% of the global
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industry has begun to take action, despite the seriousness of the problem.
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We will be focusing on creating self-help groups for women from weaker

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sections of rural areas and providing them with financial support through
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handicraft work which is an effective way to promote social and economic

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empowerment for these women. Self-help groups can provide a supportive

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community for women, where they can share knowledge, skills, and
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resources, and work together to address common challenges and goals.

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The creation of self-help organizations for women from less powerful

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groups in rural regions, as well as the provision of financial support through

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handicraft work, will be our main focus. This is an excellent strategy to

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encourage social and economic empowerment for these women. Through

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this project, we will concentrate on numerous strategies for cutting down on

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textile waste. Some of them are recycling discarded cloth, which will be
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turned into new items like bed covers and home decor following
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embroidery. Recycling and upcycling discarded or unwanted materials are

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two ways we may help the environment while also reducing waste. It will
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significantly affect women's lives as well as the environment, and we will

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help revive fading handicrafts like embroidery in the process.

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RELEVANCE AND SIGNIFICANCE i i

Focusing on textile waste and converting cloth material is relevant in many
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ways that include recycling, and upcycling with the help of which it can be
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used for making useful items. The main focus is on wastages generated
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during the process of manufacturing like rework material, cut pieces, or any
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defective pieces as all this material is considered a complete waste by the

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industry, we will convert it into home décor that can be used for this, we will
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provide employment to the women. So, it is relevant in generating

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employment, reducing harmful impacts on the environment, and promoting

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handicraft culture. We will find out how much waste cloth material is
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generated in the company and then segregate the useful clothes and
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distribute it among the Self-Help Group, collecting the finished products

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and then selling them. In addition to giving women a platform to showcase

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their talent, this will also give women who might not have access to other
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employment possibilities a way to make money.

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It is a beneficial and significant approach to decrease trash, conserve

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resources, and assist local companies to turn waste cloth into home decor
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products. It is a sustainable and original strategy that could benefit the

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economy and ecology. It is known that 92 million tons of textile waste is

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produced every year globally and is expected to increase to 134 million tons
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by 2030 India is also contributing to that and 18.6 million tons of textile
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waste ends up in landfills annually and is expected to increase to 150 million

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by 2050 and less than 1% of this waste is being recycled so, it becomes
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crucial to collect it for reusing, recycling it. Focusing and working on this
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issue is important as it has the potential to address the environmental

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challenges and at the same time provide better livelihood and income
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opportunities.
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Analysis

Over the last five years, there has been a considerable increase in the
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quantity of synthetic textile waste, specifically polyester. Currently

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synthetic fibres account for 19% of the total textile waste, but this is
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anticipated to increase given market demand.. Between 2016 to 2018, the

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import of polyester yarns increased by 94% and that of apparel made out of
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polyester increased by 30%.

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1. Non-governmental organizations and collection organizations: Non-
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governmental organizations and charitable organizations organize i i i i i

community collection drives to collect usable clothing from households.

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Such collections are done door-to-door or through drop-off boxes in

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community centres or institutions. They make it easier to get clothes to

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those in need. NGOs and charities typically inspect and pick up clean
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clothes that are wearable or repairable. These are divided into about 35
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categories based on utility, needed repairs, age, gender, and size.

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Clothing that cannot be worn is either reused to make other products such
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as cloth pads, patchworks, and so on, or it is discarded in landfills.

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2. Informal waste collectors: This category includes Waghri, Kathiawad,

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and other collecting communities in India known as Bartanwalas or

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Bhandivale. They provide an important link by bartering old clothes for

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utensils or money from households and selling directly to aggregators or

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local second hand clothing markets. Every day, each bartanwala collects
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50-100 clothes from neighbouring cities.

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Informal waste collectors separate, wash, and iron clothes for sale to bulk
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buyers or retail stores. For wearables, this segregation is done primarily

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based on wear and tear and garment quality. Dhoti and sari, on the other
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hand, are used as wipes in non-textile industries and are classified based
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on material composition.
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3. Municipal waste collectors: Textile waste is also disposed of using
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standard household waste bins. Municipal solid waste collected from

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households is consolidated at designated collection centres and transfer

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stations. These rag pickers collect recyclable and reusable textiles from
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the transfer stations. The remaining non-recyclable materials are loaded

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and transported to landfills or incineration facilities for energy recovery.

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The waste collected by municipal authorities is manually sorted at one

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level. Sorting is done based on the size of the cloth, and only usable
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materials are kept. Most garments are sorted manually, and only a few
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have conveyor belts. The waste is then separated into two categories:
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wearables, which are reused or sold, and non-wearables, which are

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compacted and disposed of in landfills.

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4. Brand take back programmes: Although still in their infancy in the

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country, take back programmes are brand initiatives in which consumers

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can return old clothes to the brand for recovery and reprocessing.
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India is a mechanical recycling leader (recycling 1900 ktons of textile

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waste), with high efficiency in recycling cotton and cotton blends. Chemical
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and high-grade mechanical recycling technologies are also emerging in

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the country, influenced by industry trends.

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In India, recycled yarn is frequently used to create new apparel and home
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furnishings for the domestic market. In the industry, open-ended recycled

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yarns with 0s-30s Ne counts are common, with very few recyclers working
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with ring-spun yarns. Because recycled yarns reduce the price of the final
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product by 50%, a large portion, 60-90%, is used within the country to

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make products such as towels, bedsheets, and apparel for the domestic
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market. While the remaining 10-40% is exported, it is mostly positioned as

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a less expensive alternative rather than a sustainable one.

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SZW conducted an in-depth analysis of garments collected from

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Residential Welfare Associations at a SZW facility and Banashankari ward

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in Bangalore. SZW is an environmental enterprise that works in waste

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management, resource recovery, and social impact. Two female SZW
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employees sorted the collected garments based on type, colour, style,

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condition, and composition. 14% of the garments collected from

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Banashankari ward and 86% from RWAs were aggregated and sorted at
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Bangalore's SZW material recovery facility. The field staff sorted the
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garments based on material tags attached to the garments to better

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understand the composition of the garments. According to the findings, the

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majority of the 7999 total garments collected were wearable or suitable for
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selling and donating. Only a small percentage of the clothes, 1% to 2%,

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were unwearable.
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Important Findings i

1. Imported waste enters India through the ports of Kandla, Nhava Sheva,
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Petrapole, and Patli. Each port handles different materials and follows
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different trade practises. Similarly, trade practises differ depending on the

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size and capacity of the importer.

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2. At the KASEZ, imported secondhand clothing is sorted into 400

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categories, mostly for re-export. These categories are created based on

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the needs of importing countries and typically differ based on fashion

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trends, size requirements, and preferred material compositions.

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3. Unwearable secondhand clothing and mutilated rags are transported to

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India for further processing, passing through two to three stakeholders

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before reaching the final processor. Wipes and recycled yarn are two of the
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most common end products of imported waste processed in India.

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4. The parameters defining the material's recyclability are similar to those

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defining the pre-consumer waste stream, but for reuse, additional

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exporting country parameters become important.

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5. Textile waste is gaining economic value by being reused, recycled, and

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downcycled in textile and non-textile industries. However, there is some

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debate that it is not being used to its full potential, even in the textile
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industry.
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6. For decades, domestic consumers have reused textile waste, from

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hand-me-downs to purchasing it from local second hand clothing markets.

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7. Almost 19% of waste made up of synthetics and printed materials does
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not return to the textile industry, but instead is diverted to other industries
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such as automobiles, paper and pulp, steel, and pharmaceuticals.

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8. Despite existing infrastructure, half of total waste is not being used to its
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full potential.
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9. The highest priority should be given to blended and printed textile waste
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because current infrastructure and technologies are incapable of

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processing them.
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10. Advanced mechanical recycling technologies are available worldwide

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and can produce higher quality recycled yarns. To pilot and implement
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these technologies in India, investments and brand buy-in are required.

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f. Recommendations and Conclusions:

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Findings:

The textile industry will grow in size over time as the demand for humans
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grows and disposable income rises. As a result, the waste generated by

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this industry will grow exponentially over time. And this waste will endanger
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our environment.
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This threat posed by improper textile waste management can be avoided

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by developing a better strategy for converting it into useful products.

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Jammu, the second-largest city in the J&K region, lacks a proper waste
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management system, resulting in the majority of textile waste ending up in

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landfills.
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This city is experiencing a labour shortage, and women are not getting
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enough opportunities to make their mark and forge their own identities.
i i i i i i i i i i i

As a result, our initiative provides a one-stop solution to all problems

i i i i i i i i i i i

because it addresses both pre- and post-consumer waste.

i i i i i i i i

We collect pre-consumer waste from the industry and send it to a sorting

i i i i i i i i i i i i

centre where all the dresses can be sorted according to their value
i i i i i i i i i i i i

potential. After the required process, good goods can be sent directly to the
i i i i i i i i i i i i i

market, while inferior goods are sent to the SHG centre.

i i i i i i i i i i
Post-consumer textile waste should be sent to a sorting centre, where i i i i i i i i i i

products that are no longer usable should be sent to a recycling centre,

i i i i i i i i i i i i i

while others should be sent to a SHG centre. We do not want these textiles
i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i

to be worn again by other people. Second-hand clothing worn by one

i i i i i i i i i i i i

person and given to another is not a good practise. So it's better to turn it
i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i

into a product.
i i i

Formalize the textile waste value chain to ensure worker safety and high i i i i i i i i i i i

returns for all stakeholders.

i i i i

In the long run, the textile waste industry requires standards for identifying,
i i i i i i i i i i i

sorting, and handling textile waste so that their end-use can be easily
i i i i i i i i i i i i

understood around the world. These could be similar to the standards

i i i i i i i i i i i

established for plastic waste, which indicate its level of recyclability.

i i i i i i i i i i

An Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy, similar to that used for

i i i i i i i i i i

plastic packaging, could provide economic incentives for all stakeholders

i i i i i i i i i

in all waste streams while also allowing for traceability and transparency.
i i i i i i i i i i i

While the Indian informal ecosystem has worked to maximize waste

i i i i i i i i i i

utilization, changing consumption and disposal patterns necessitate better

i i i i i i i i

waste tracking and accounting, as well as ensuring the well-being of

i i i i i i i i i i i

workers in the sector. In 2009, France was the first country to adopt an
i i i i i i i i i i i i i i

EPR policy tailored specifically to the textile industry.

i i i i i i i i

Dedicated technologies for other material compositions other than cotton, i i i i i i i i

such as polyester, spandex, acrylic, and high quality wool, require the
i i i i i i i i i i i

ecosystem's attention in the mid-term, while long-term technologies that

i i i i i i i i i

can accept newer varieties of materials (bamboo, hemp, modal, etc.) and
i i i i i i i i i i i

blends of different proportions at different quality levels can be built. These

i i i i i i i i i i i i

technologies can be mechanical, chemical, or a combination of the two, but

i i i i i i i i i i i i

cost efficiency and environmental friendliness must be prioritized.

i i i i i i i i

SHG centres will assist us in converting these cleaned waste materials into
i i i i i i i i i i i

items such as foot mats, home decor, and other handcrafted items. We will
i i i i i i i i i i i i i

be able to use fewer materials as a result of this. The proceeds from the
i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i

sale of these handcrafted items can be used to help these SHG women.
i i i i i i i i i i i i i

As MBA students, we can assist these SHGs in branding their products and
i i i i i i i i i i i i

increasing their visibility, as there are many trade fairs organized in India
i i i i i i i i i i i i

and abroad to promote products made from waste and help to reduce
i i i i i i i i i i i i

pollution and clean up our environment.

i i i i i i
the other hand, are used as wipes in non-textile industries and are
i i i i i i i i i i i i

classified based on material composition.

i i i i i

3. Municipal waste collectors: Textile waste is also disposed of using

i i i i i i i i i i

standard household waste bins. Municipal solid waste collected from

i i i i i i i i i

households is consolidated at designated collection centres and transfer

i i i i i i i i i

stations. These rag pickers collect recyclable and reusable textiles from
i i i i i i i i i i

the transfer stations. The remaining non-recyclable materials are loaded

i i i i i i i i i

and transported to landfills or incineration facilities for energy recovery.

i i i i i i i i i i

The waste collected by municipal authorities is manually sorted at one

i i i i i i i i i i i

level. Sorting is done based on the size of the cloth, and only usable
i i i i i i i i i i i i i i

materials are kept. Most garments are sorted manually, and only a few
i i i i i i i i i i i i

have conveyor belts. The waste is then separated into two categories:
i i i i i i i i i i i

wearables, which are reused or sold, and non-wearables, which are

i i i i i i i i i i

compacted and disposed of in landfills.

i i i i i i

4. Brand take back programmes: Although still in their infancy in the

i i i i i i i i i i i

country, take back programmes are brand initiatives in which consumers

i i i i i i i i i i

can return old clothes to the brand for recovery and reprocessing.
i i i i i i i i i i i

India is a mechanical recycling leader (recycling 1900 ktons of textile

i i i i i i i i i i

waste), with high efficiency in recycling cotton and cotton blends. Chemical
i i i i i i i i i i i

and high-grade mechanical recycling technologies are also emerging in

i i i i i i i i i

the country, influenced by industry trends.

i i i i i i

In India, recycled yarn is frequently used to create new apparel and home
i i i i i i i i i i i i

furnishings for the domestic market. In the industry, open-ended recycled

i i i i i i i i i i

yarns with 0s-30s Ne counts are common, with very few recyclers working
i i i i i i i i i i i i

with ring-spun yarns. Because recycled yarns reduce the price of the final
i i i i i i i i i i i i

product by 50%, a large portion, 60-90%, is used within the country to

i i i i i i i i i i i i i

make products such as towels, bedsheets, and apparel for the domestic
i i i i i i i i i i i

market. While the remaining 10-40% is exported, it is mostly positioned as

i i i i i i i i i i i i

a less expensive alternative rather than a sustainable one.

i i i i i i i i i
SZW conducted an in-depth analysis of garments collected from
i i i i i i i i

Residential Welfare Associations at a SZW facility and Banashankari ward

i i i i i i i i i i

in Bangalore. SZW is an environmental enterprise that works in waste

i i i i i i i i i i i

management, resource recovery, and social impact. Two female SZW

i i i i i i i i i

employees sorted the collected garments based on type, colour, style,

i i i i i i i i i i

condition, and composition. 14% of the garments collected from

i i i i i i i i i

Banashankari ward and 86% from RWAs were aggregated and sorted at
i i i i i i i i i i i

Bangalore's SZW material recovery facility. The field staff sorted the
i i i i i i i i i i

garments based on material tags attached to the garments to better

i i i i i i i i i i i

understand the composition of the garments. According to the findings, the

i i i i i i i i i i i

majority of the 7999 total garments collected were wearable or suitable for
i i i i i i i i i i i i

selling and donating. Only a small percentage of the clothes, 1% to 2%,

i i i i i i i i i i i i i

were unwearable.
i i

Important Findings i

1. Imported waste enters India through the ports of Kandla, Nhava Sheva,
i i i i i i i i i i i

Petrapole, and Patli. Each port handles different materials and follows
i i i i i i i i i i

different trade practises. Similarly, trade practises differ depending on the

i i i i i i i i i i

size and capacity of the importer.

i i i i i i

2. At the KASEZ, imported secondhand clothing is sorted into 400

i i i i i i i i i i

categories, mostly for re-export. These categories are created based on

i i i i i i i i i i

the needs of importing countries and typically differ based on fashion

i i i i i i i i i i i

trends, size requirements, and preferred material compositions.

i i i i i i i

3. Unwearable secondhand clothing and mutilated rags are transported to

i i i i i i i i i

India for further processing, passing through two to three stakeholders

i i i i i i i i i i

before reaching the final processor. Wipes and recycled yarn are two of the
i i i i i i i i i i i i i

most common end products of imported waste processed in India.

i i i i i i i i i i

4. The parameters defining the material's recyclability are similar to those

i i i i i i i i i i

defining the pre-consumer waste stream, but for reuse, additional

i i i i i i i i i

exporting country parameters become important.

i i i i i

5. Textile waste is gaining economic value by being reused, recycled, and

i i i i i i i i i i i

downcycled in textile and non-textile industries. However, there is some

i i i i i i i i i i

debate that it is not being used to its full potential, even in the textile
i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i

industry.
i

6. For decades, domestic consumers have reused textile waste, from

i i i i i i i i i

hand-me-downs to purchasing it from local second hand clothing markets.

i i i i i i i i i i
7. Almost 19% of waste made up of synthetics and printed materials does
i i i i i i i i i i i i

not return to the textile industry, but instead is diverted to other industries
i i i i i i i i i i i i i

such as automobiles, paper and pulp, steel, and pharmaceuticals.

i i i i i i i i i

8. Despite existing infrastructure, half of total waste is not being used to its
i i i i i i i i i i i i i

full potential.
i i

9. The highest priority should be given to blended and printed textile waste
i i i i i i i i i i i i

because current infrastructure and technologies are incapable of

i i i i i i i i

processing them.
i i

10. Advanced mechanical recycling technologies are available worldwide

i i i i i i i

and can produce higher quality recycled yarns. To pilot and implement
i i i i i i i i i i i

these technologies in India, investments and brand buy-in are required.

i i i i i i i i i i

f. Recommendations and Conclusions:

i i i

Findings:

The textile industry will grow in size over time as the demand for humans
i i i i i i i i i i i i i

grows and disposable income rises. As a result, the waste generated by

i i i i i i i i i i i i

this industry will grow exponentially over time. And this waste will endanger
i i i i i i i i i i i i

our environment.
i i

This threat posed by improper textile waste management can be avoided

i i i i i i i i i i

by developing a better strategy for converting it into useful products.

i i i i i i i i i i i

Jammu, the second-largest city in the J&K region, lacks a proper waste
i i i i i i i i i i i

management system, resulting in the majority of textile waste ending up in

i i i i i i i i i i i i

landfills.
i

This city is experiencing a labour shortage, and women are not getting
i i i i i i i i i i i

enough opportunities to make their mark and forge their own identities.
i i i i i i i i i i i

As a result, our initiative provides a one-stop solution to all problems

i i i i i i i i i i i

because it addresses both pre- and post-consumer waste.

i i i i i i i i

We collect pre-consumer waste from the industry and send it to a sorting

i i i i i i i i i i i i

centre where all the dresses can be sorted according to their value
i i i i i i i i i i i i

potential. After the required process, good goods can be sent directly to the
i i i i i i i i i i i i i

market, while inferior goods are sent to the SHG centre.

i i i i i i i i i i
Post-consumer textile waste should be sent to a sorting centre, where i i i i i i i i i i

products that are no longer usable should be sent to a recycling centre,

i i i i i i i i i i i i i

while others should be sent to a SHG centre. We do not want these textiles
i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i

to be worn again by other people. Second-hand clothing worn by one

i i i i i i i i i i i i

person and given to another is not a good practise. So it's better to turn it
i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i

into a product.
i i i

Formalize the textile waste value chain to ensure worker safety and high i i i i i i i i i i i

returns for all stakeholders.

i i i i

In the long run, the textile waste industry requires standards for identifying,
i i i i i i i i i i i

sorting, and handling textile waste so that their end-use can be easily
i i i i i i i i i i i i

understood around the world. These could be similar to the standards

i i i i i i i i i i i

established for plastic waste, which indicate its level of recyclability.

i i i i i i i i i i

An Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy, similar to that used for

i i i i i i i i i i

plastic packaging, could provide economic incentives for all stakeholders

i i i i i i i i i

in all waste streams while also allowing for traceability and transparency.
i i i i i i i i i i i

While the Indian informal ecosystem has worked to maximize waste

i i i i i i i i i i

utilization, changing consumption and disposal patterns necessitate better

i i i i i i i i

waste tracking and accounting, as well as ensuring the well-being of

i i i i i i i i i i i

workers in the sector. In 2009, France was the first country to adopt an
i i i i i i i i i i i i i i

EPR policy tailored specifically to the textile industry.

i i i i i i i i

Dedicated technologies for other material compositions other than cotton, i i i i i i i i

such as polyester, spandex, acrylic, and high quality wool, require the
i i i i i i i i i i i

ecosystem's attention in the mid-term, while long-term technologies that

i i i i i i i i i

can accept newer varieties of materials (bamboo, hemp, modal, etc.) and
i i i i i i i i i i i

blends of different proportions at different quality levels can be built. These

i i i i i i i i i i i i

technologies can be mechanical, chemical, or a combination of the two, but

i i i i i i i i i i i i

cost efficiency and environmental friendliness must be prioritized.

i i i i i i i i

SHG centres will assist us in converting these cleaned waste materials into
i i i i i i i i i i i

items such as foot mats, home decor, and other handcrafted items. We will
i i i i i i i i i i i i i

be able to use fewer materials as a result of this. The proceeds from the
i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i

sale of these handcrafted items can be used to help these SHG women.
i i i i i i i i i i i i i

As MBA students, we can assist these SHGs in branding their products and
i i i i i i i i i i i i

increasing their visibility, as there are many trade fairs organized in India
i i i i i i i i i i i i

and abroad to promote products made from waste and help to reduce
i i i i i i i i i i i i

pollution and clean up our environment.

i i i i i i