ReFiber Launches Nationwide Textile Recovery Drive to Tackle India’s Growing Clothing Waste
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ReFiber, powered by OterRi, has launched a nationwide textile recovery campaign to make it easier for consumers to divert unwanted clothing from landfill. The “Freedom from Unused Garments” initiative allows users to schedule doorstep collection through ReFiber’s digital platform and brings together the Tisser Artisan Trust, Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI), UNIDO and Lions International.
India generates an estimated 7 million tonnes of textile waste annually, with around 58% generated after consumer use, according to the Ministry of Textiles representative Vrunda Desai. The campaign aims to shift perceptions of unwanted garments from waste to potential raw material while creating more accessible channels for collection, reuse and upcycling.
Beyond collection, ReFiber plans to develop an Upcycler Marketplace for recycled and upcycled products, providing opportunities for small businesses and artisans while strengthening the downstream circular economy. The initiative is also calling for greater connectivity between its platform and upcyclers nationwide, alongside stronger infrastructure and financially viable circular business models. Drawing inspiration from Sweden’s ReTuna recycling mall, ReFiber and industry partners argue that government-supported infrastructure could help scale textile circularity in India. The campaign had already received around 42 collection requests through the ReFiber app at launch, suggesting growing consumer interest in more convenient textile recovery pathways.
