Union Textile Ministry Secretary Neelam Shami Rao visited India’s first municipal-supported textile waste processing centre at CBD Belapur, commending the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) for implementing an innovative and scalable model that converts discarded garments into reusable products.
During the visit, Rao inspected the centre’s operations, reviewed the six-step segregation system for fabric waste, and observed mechanical fibre-testing processes. She expressed satisfaction with the manner in which citizens’ discarded clothing is being transformed into attractive, market-ready items.
Rao was accompanied by Textile Commissioner Dr M. Bina, Ministry Director Ashok Jaiswal and Textile Committee Secretary Kartikeya Dhanda. NMMC Additional Commissioner Sunil Pawar, Deputy Commissioner Smita Kale and Textile Committee Director Dr Tapan Rout were also present.
She congratulated Municipal Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde and his team for piloting and sustaining the initiative, noting that similar projects should be replicated in other cities across India. She also suggested the organisation of a national-level workshop on textile waste management in Navi Mumbai.
The initiative has deployed large textile collection bins at high-footfall sites such as housing societies, malls and offices, supported by the SBI Foundation and Tisser Artisan Trust. A dedicated vehicle collects the waste, which is then transported to the Shakuntala Mahajan Multi-Purpose Building in Sector 2, CBD Belapur, for processing.
At the facility, usable discarded fabric is upcycled using handloom techniques to create a variety of textile products that are displayed and sold with encouraging response from residents. The project has eased the burden on NMMC’s solid waste management system while generating sustainable employment opportunities for women.
Commenting on the initiative, NMMC Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde stated that the project reflected the corporation’s commitment to innovative waste management benefiting both the environment and the community, and that the positive response from citizens along with the empowerment of local women demonstrated the transformative potential of such efforts.
