Promoting circularity in India’s textile and apparel industry

Context

India’s textile and apparel industry is the sixth largest in the world. At the same time, it is one of the country’s most resource-intensive and polluting economic sectors. Decision makers lack knowledge of how to implement and drive circular approaches, reduce textile waste, and create resource-efficient closed-loop systems. In addition, the industry does not have a common vision for circularity or suitable strategies yet. Promoting innovative circular approaches along the value chain is therefore crucial for climate-sensitive development. Moreover, closer cooperation between public and private partners would lead to more lasting effects of the measures taken.

Objective

The ability of the Indian textile and apparel industry to implement circular approaches in its business practices is improved.

Approach

The project is a public-private partnership with Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited (ABFRL). It focuses on improving industry-level circularity practices in the Indian textile and apparel sector. The project’s approaches focus on reducing the input of harmful substances into the value chain, enhancing resource recovery and utilisation, managing and recycling textiles and garments, making use of alternative and renewable inputs, building capacities, and generating livelihoods. The project’s most important activities include:

• assessing the sector to understand existing circularity practices, scouting for circularity innovation from across the country and developing projects to be piloted in ABFRL’s value chain.
• creating an industry-led Circularity Manifesto and developing the capabilities of all stakeholders involved.
• exchanging and further disseminating knowledge to create awareness among consumers, engage stakeholders and offer policy advice.

Last update: September 2023