Textile Waste and the Fast Fashion Crisis: A Wake-Up Call for India

The industrial source includes waste generated during textile manufacturing, dyeing, printing, and finishing. The consumer source involves discarded garments and fabrics that are no longer in use.

- DR. NEELU TIWARI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has recently raised serious concerns about the growing problem of textile waste in India, connecting it to the global rise of fast fashion. He cited a study that highlights a shocking fact: less than one percent of textile waste is recycled into new clothes. This revelation draws attention to the urgent need for sustainable solutions, especially as India stands as the third-largest producer of textile waste in the world.

Textile waste refers to cloth or garment materials that are no longer usable. These materials can come from industrial processes or be discarded by consumers after use. Industries generate a significant portion of this waste during the manufacturing of clothes and accessories. Once production is complete, leftover fabrics, offcuts, and defective items are often thrown away, contributing to environmental pollution.

There are two primary sources of textile waste: industrial and consumer. The industrial source includes waste generated during textile manufacturing, dyeing, printing, and finishing. The consumer source involves discarded garments and fabrics that are no longer in use. This issue is further intensified by the fast fashion industry, which emphasizes rapid production of stylish and inexpensive clothing to meet ever-changing market demands.