The Indian Government, in partnership with the UNE), has unveiled the 'Enhancing Circularity and Sustainability' project to promote sustainable practices and integrate circular production methods into the textiles and apparel sectors
The project has approved 20 strategic research initiatives, including three focused on textile waste recycling. Additionally, the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) has teamed up with Fashion for Goods from the Netherlands to advance sustainability and circularity, enhancing the global competitiveness of India's garment exports.
Textile manufacturing currently wastes about 50 percent of fabric, and fast fashion trends contribute to 81 percent of garments ending up in landfills due to short lifecycles or excess stock. Despite this, 59 percent of textile waste is recycled or reused. The global apparel market, valued at $551.36 billion in 2021, is expected to grow to $843.13 billion by 2026, reflecting an 8.6 percent growth rate, according to AEPC.
India’s textile sector benefits from a diverse raw material base and minimal import reliance, positioning it as a key manufacturing hub for international brands. The country’s strategy includes supporting MSMEs with sustainability awards, branding efforts, and practical solutions.
The government's initiative also addresses critical areas such as agricultural waste in textiles, chemical recycling, alternate leather, regenerative agriculture, wastewater management, plastic recycling, and supply chain traceability. India’s well-organised textile waste value chain facilitates efficient waste transfer across the country.