India’s rich textile heritage is now facing a growing environmental challenge — the vast amounts of discarded clothing piling up in landfills. With around 7.8 million tonnes of textile waste generated every year — making up 8.5% of the world’s total — India has a serious problem on its hands.

Unlike biodegradable waste, synthetic fabrics don’t break down easily — they can sit in landfills for centuries, slowly releasing harmful chemicals and microplastics into our soil and water. The rise of fast fashion has only made things worse, flooding the market with cheaply made clothes that don’t last long. And with no formal policy on textile waste management, our already strained waste systems are grappling with the burden.

However, the good news is that a sustainable solution is within reach. By rethinking how we dispose of old clothes and embracing a circular economy that focuses on reuse, recycling,........

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