Mumbai, Maharashtra, 5th of August, 2026 : Reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and circular fashion, the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) is supporting a nationwide Unused Garments Collection Drive ahead of Independence Day, encouraging citizens to donate clothing they no longer use. The initiative aims to reduce textile waste, promote responsible consumption, and ensure that discarded garments are transformed into useful products instead of ending up in landfills.
Commenting on the initiative, Santosh Katariya, President, CMAI said “As one of the world’s largest apparel markets, India has both the opportunity and the responsibility to embrace more sustainable consumption practices. Every unused garment represents a valuable resource that can be reused, recycled or repurposed instead of being discarded. Through this initiative, we invite every household to become a part of the circular economy by giving their unused clothes a new life. Collective action, even through small individual contributions, can create a significant impact on our environment.”
The initiative is being undertaken in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), ReFiber, OteriRi, Tisser, World Trade Center Mumbai and Lions International.
A key implementation partner is ReFiber, a digital platform and initiative that turns post-consumer textile waste into verified circular outcomes through household collections, digital traceability, and upcycling. It operates via mobile apps and partnerships with Tisser, an organisation working with over 20,000 women artisans across India. The campaign aims to collect 20,000 kilograms of unused garments and textile waste, which will be carefully sorted, repurposed and upcycled into value-added products. In addition to reducing the environmental impact of textile waste, the initiative is expected to generate sustainable livelihood opportunities for women artisans engaged in the upcycling value chain. Through the ReFiber mobile application, consumers can conveniently schedule a doorstep pickup of their unused garments facilitating participation in the circular fashion movement simple and accessible.
Naveen Sainani, Hon. General Secretary and Chairman – ESG Committee, CMAI added “Circularity can only succeed when industry, communities and consumers come together with a shared purpose. This initiative not only diverts textile waste from landfills but also strengthens an ecosystem that creates meaningful livelihood opportunities through reuse and upcycling. It demonstrates how sustainability can simultaneously deliver environmental, economic and social value.”
The unused Garments Collection Drive represents another important milestone in CMAI’s ongoing sustainability journey and supports India’s transition towards a circular textile economy. By bringing together industry, international development organisations, civil society and consumers, the initiative seeks to reduce textile waste, encourage responsible consumption, and accelerate the adoption of circular practices across the apparel value chain.
As the nation celebrates Independence Day, CMAI calls upon every citizen to participate in the campaign by donating unused garments and contributing towards a cleaner environment, empowered communities, and a more sustainable future for India’s textile and apparel industry.
About CMAI
The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) is the most representative association of the Indian apparel industry having over 7,000 members and serving more than 50,000 Retailers. Its Membership consists of Manufacturers, Exporters, Brands, and ancillary industry. CMAI advocates regarding policies and also guides and encourages its members on ESG related matters and initiatives. In 2019, CMAI launched the SU.RE initiative to encourage members to embrace sustainability.
Established over sixty-three years ago, CMAI has contributed immensely towards development of the industry. In 1978, CMAI had led the creation of the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC). CMAI is also authorised by the Government of India to issue Certificate of Origin (Non-Preferential) to Exporters. CMAI is the only Indian Association that represents the entire Indian Apparel Industry & Trade on prestigious international forums such as International Apparel Federation (IAF) headquartered in Netherlands.
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