The Ministry of Textiles has responded to a recent international media report that highlighted environmental and occupational concerns linked to textile recycling activities in clusters including Panipat, Haryana. According to the Ministry, isolated cases of non-compliance may arise in any industrial ecosystem, but generalising India’s textile recycling industry as environmentally harmful or structurally exploitative does not accurately represent the sector’s ongoing transition towards sustainability, formalisation, and regulatory compliance.
The Ministry stated that India operates one of the world’s largest textile recovery and recycling systems, supported by long-established value chains focused on reuse, repair, recycling, and repurposing of textile materials. Unlike several countries where textile waste is largely landfilled, a substantial share of textile waste in India is recovered through formal and informal systems and redirected towards secondary use, fibre recovery, industrial reuse, and related applications.
Citing the “Mapping of Textile Waste Value Chain in India” study, 2026, the Ministry said India generates approximately 7,073 kilo tonnes of textile waste annually from both pre-consumer and post-consumer sources. The report noted that nearly 97% of pre-consumer textile waste generated during manufacturing processes is recycled, reflecting a high level of material recovery within domestic textile manufacturing systems.
The Ministry also addressed suggestions that India functions mainly as a destination for imported fast-fashion waste. According to the report, more than 90% of the approximately 7.8 million tonnes of textile waste managed annually is sourced domestically through factory scrap and post-consumer waste streams. Imported post-consumer textile waste accounts for around 7% of the total volume and is regulated under the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016. The imported material primarily consists of second-hand clothing and mutilated rags entering through formalized recycling and sorting channels.
Referring to the FICCI report “Unlocking Value from India’s Textile Waste: A Roadmap for Circularity in the Textile Sector,” the Ministry stated that India’s textile waste ecosystem currently generates an estimated economic value of approximately ₹22,000 crore annually. The report further highlighted opportunities for additional value generation through improved sorting, segregation, and higher-value recycling systems. The Ministry also noted that India’s traditional reuse and repair culture contributes to lower per capita textile consumption and waste generation compared to many developed economies.
The Ministry further cited Life Cycle Assessment studies conducted by researchers at IIT Delhi using field data from the Panipat recycling cluster. Research published in the Journal of Cleaner Production (2025) reportedly found that textile recycling activities in Panipat reduce 30–40% of environmental impacts, including greenhouse gas emissions, acid rain potential, and fossil fuel depletion, compared to virgin fibre production systems.
According to the Ministry, textile recycling activities in India are supported by established industrial ecosystems operating across clusters such as Panipat, Tiruppur, Ludhiana, and Surat. Panipat has developed into a major global textile recycling hub processing large quantities of woollen and blended textile waste while supporting downstream employment and economic activity.
The Ministry acknowledged that concerns remain regarding post-consumer textile waste collection, handling of blended and synthetic textile waste, fragmented feedstock aggregation, environmental compliance among smaller units, and worker safety in certain parts of the value chain. However, it stated that the sector is gradually transitioning towards improved formalisation, cleaner production technologies, stronger compliance mechanisms, and higher environmental standards.
The statement also highlighted that textile recycling units in India operate under an established legal framework, including the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. Textile units are required to obtain operational consent from State Pollution Control Boards. The Ministry stated that actions taken by the National Green Tribunal and State Pollution Control Boards against certain units demonstrate the functioning of India’s regulatory systems.
Labour welfare and workplace safety are governed under legislative frameworks including the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, the Code on Social Security, 2020, the Code on Wages, 2019, and the Industrial Relations Code, 2020. The Ministry said inspections and enforcement measures are undertaken by competent authorities in accordance with statutory provisions.
The Ministry also stated that organised and export-oriented recycling units in India are increasingly investing in environmentally responsible technologies. Several textile clusters have adopted dust extraction systems, zero-liquid discharge wastewater treatment systems, renewable energy integration, low-liquor dyeing technologies, advanced water recycling systems, digital process monitoring, and energy-efficient processing infrastructure. Tiruppur’s textile cluster was highlighted for its near-universal adoption of zero-liquid discharge systems in dyeing and processing units.
In technical textile recycling, the Ministry highlighted developments under the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM). The Atal Centre of Textile Recycling and Sustainability (ACTRS), established at Panipat by IIT Delhi, has developed and transferred to industry a process for recycling aramid fibre waste used in bulletproof vests, helmets, and protective equipment. Additional research projects under NTTM are focused on recycling composites, geosynthetics, specialty fibres, and structural materials used in automotive, sports, and aerospace applications.
The Ministry concluded that while certain operational issues identified in media reports require attention, such instances do not represent the textile recycling ecosystem in India as a whole. It stated that the sector continues to evolve towards improved environmental performance, sustainability, and resource efficiency in line with national circular economy objectives.