CMAI Launches Nationwide Garment Collection Drive to Support India's Circular Fashion Movement in collaboration with leading companies

Independence Day campaign targets collection of 20,000 kg of unused garments and textile waste for reuse, recycling and upcycling

The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) is supporting a nationwide Unused Garments Collection Drive ahead of Independence Day as part of its efforts to promote sustainability and circular fashion.

The campaign encourages citizens to donate clothing they no longer use, with the objective of reducing textile waste and ensuring discarded garments are directed towards reuse, recycling and repurposing rather than landfills.

Campaign Targets 20,000 Kg of Textile Waste

The initiative is being undertaken in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), ReFiber, OteriRi, Tisser, World Trade Center Mumbai and Lions International.

ReFiber is serving as a key implementation partner. The digital platform and initiative works to convert post-consumer textile waste into verified circular outcomes through household collections, digital traceability and upcycling.

The campaign has set a target of collecting 20,000 kilograms of unused garments and textile waste. The collected materials will be sorted and processed for repurposing and upcycling into value-added products.

Collection Drive to Support Upcycling and Artisan Livelihoods

The initiative also involves Tisser, an organisation working with over 20,000 women artisans across India.

According to CMAI, the campaign is expected to create sustainable livelihood opportunities for women artisans involved in the upcycling value chain while addressing the environmental impact associated with textile waste.

Consumers can participate through the ReFiber mobile application, which allows them to schedule doorstep collection of unused garments.

CMAI Highlights Role of Consumers in Circularity

Santosh Katariya, President, CMAI, said:

"As one of the world's largest apparel markets, India has both the opportunity and the responsibility to embrace more sustainable consumption practices. Every unused garment represents a valuable resource that can be reused, recycled or repurposed instead of being discarded. Through this initiative, we invite every household to become a part of the circular economy by giving their unused clothes a new life. Collective action, even through small individual contributions, can create a significant impact on our environment."

Naveen Sainani, Hon. General Secretary and Chairman – ESG Committee, CMAI, added:

"Circularity can only succeed when industry, communities and consumers come together with a shared purpose. This initiative not only diverts textile waste from landfills but also strengthens an ecosystem that creates meaningful livelihood opportunities through reuse and upcycling. It demonstrates how sustainability can simultaneously deliver environmental, economic and social value."

Campaign Supports Circular Textile Economy

The Unused Garments Collection Drive forms part of CMAI's ongoing sustainability efforts and supports India's transition towards a circular textile economy.

The initiative brings together industry, international development organisations, civil society and consumers with the objective of reducing textile waste, promoting responsible consumption and encouraging circular practices across the apparel value chain.

Ahead of Independence Day, CMAI is calling on citizens to contribute unused garments to the campaign, with the initiative focused on supporting environmental sustainability, community livelihoods and a more circular textile and apparel sector.