The initiative, announced at an online stakeholder meeting, brings together industry groups and non-profits to improve awareness and create more accessible pathways for the collection, reuse, and upcycling of unwanted clothing.
The drive, called ‘Freedom from Unused Garments’, enables citizens to arrange doorstep pickups of unwanted clothes through ReFiber’s digital platform.
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Backed by Tisser Artisan Trust, Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI), UNIDO, and Lions International, the partnership aims to shift consumption habits and promote circularity in the textile sector.
The Government of India Ministry of Textiles, Textile Commissioner, Vrunda Desai, who attended the launch said: “India generates around 70 lakh tons of textile waste annually, with nearly 58% arising after consumer use. Every discarded garment represents valuable resources like the fibre, water, energy, chemicals, the transportation and the human effort in it.
“I really appreciate the initiative of ReFiber, which provides citizens a simple digital platform to schedule doorstep collection of unused garments. You don’t have to go anywhere. You just need to press a button and schedule the pickup of your unused garments.”
ReFiber has also appealed to the Ministry of Textiles to help connect its platform with upcyclers across the country.
Through its Upcycler Marketplace, the company plans to offer a dedicated space for recycled and upcycled products, supporting small businesses and artisans.
Tisser Artisan Trust, founder Dr. Megha Phansalkar encouraged a change in perception towards discarded textiles.
“Let’s think how we can bring our garments, which are to be discarded, not as discarded material but as raw material for the further journey,” she said.
CMAI president Santosh Katariya pointed to the social and environmental impact of the drive.
“Instead of garments ending up in landfills we can recover them through collection, recycling and upcycling,” he said, also noting the initiative’s potential to empower women in the recycling economy.
UNIDO national project coordinator, Dr. Pankaj Kumar addressed the need for financially sustainable solutions.
“Whenever we talk of development, we need to think about sustainability and the financial model,” he said, noting that successful regional pilots could inform national adoption.
OterRi and ReFiber, COO Manoj Wanvari called for enhanced infrastructure to support circularity.
Wanvari said: “We would request you to study the ReTuna model in Sweden. ReTuna is the world’s first recycling mall where everything sold is recycled or reused or has been organically or sustainably produced.”
He suggested that developing similar facilities in India, with government backing, could contribute to building a stronger circular economy.
The Freedom from Unused Garments initiative coincides with India’s 80th Independence Day milestones.
The campaign has already received about 42 collection requests via the ReFiber app at the time of the launch, with public engagement growing organically.
