India generates nearly 7.8 million metric tonnes of post-consumer textile waste each year, reflecting the scale and diversity of fabrics used across households, institutions and industries. However, under the Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban 2.0, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has emerged as a national pioneer in this space. Recognising the opportunity to address textile waste through systemic intervention.
Navi Mumbai’s Textile Recovery Facility is transforming textile waste into opportunity through circular systems and community participation. Under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0, the initiative cuts landfill waste, creates livelihoods, and offers a scalable model for urban India.
India generates nearly 7.8 million metric tonnes of post-consumer textile waste each year, reflecting the scale and diversity of fabrics used across households, institutions and industries. From sarees and uniforms to denim and household linen, textiles form a significant yet often overlooked component of the urban waste stream. Cities are increasingly recognising the need to develop structured systems for textile recovery, reuse and recycling. With growing attention on circular economy approaches and resource efficiency, municipalities are beginning to explore innovative solutions that prevent textiles from ending up in landfills.
Under the Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban 2.0, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has emerged as a national pioneer in this space. Recognising the opportunity to address textile waste through systemic intervention, NMMC established India’s first Municipal Textile Recovery Facility (TRF) in Belapur, Navi Mumbai. By integrating decentralised collection, scientific sorting, traceability and women-led livelihood generation, the TRF repositions textile waste from an overlooked stream to a valuable component of the urban circular economy.
The Textile Recovery Facility (TRF) in Navi Mumbai has been conceptualised not as a standalone collection centre, but as a comprehensive circular ecosystem that integrates collection, sorting, technology and livelihood generation.
The model begins with decentralised collection, wherein branded textile bins have been strategically deployed across housing societies in all 8 municipal wards. To date, 140 bins have been installed, with the current phase targeting 250, ensuring accessibility and citizen participation at the grassroots level.
The TRF model has helped collect 30 MT of post-consumer textile waste, of which 25.5 MT have been scientifically sorted. Over 41,000 items have been processed at an average of nearly 500 items per day. The initiative has reached more than 1,14,575 families through outreach efforts, conducted over 75 IEC workshops and onboarded 350+ society representatives, reflecting strong citizen participation and institutional engagement. Over 400 upcycled product samples have been developed, including a successful pilot batch of paper manufactured from rejected textile waste — demonstrating innovation within resource recovery.
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