Bengaluru is facing a growing textile waste challenge, generating an estimated 5,000 tonnes of fabric waste annually, according to a new study by the Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC).
The study highlighted the mounting environmental risks tied to the city’s thriving garment sector, pointing to the urgent need for a transition towards circular economy practices. Researchers S. Manasi, Channamma Kambara, and Mrinalini Goswami noted that the absence of a centralised textile waste database represents a significant governance gap. While agencies such as the Department of Handlooms and Textiles (DHT) and the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) maintain partial records, these are largely focused on regulatory compliance rather than comprehensive waste management.
The study found that large export-oriented factories typically manage waste more systematically, but thousands of small-scale tailoring units and local shops continue to dispose of fabric scraps with municipal waste, adding to the burden on the city’s waste system.
Tracing the post-disposal journey of textile waste, the researchers reported that around 40% is transported to recycling hubs like Tiruppur and Panipat, while about 20% is downcycled locally into products such as mattresses and soft toys. However, these items generally have a lifespan of less than a decade, after which they are incinerated or dumped in landfills, contributing to pollution.
The study also warned of the hazardous mixing of industrial cotton waste with household garbage, which, when burned, leads to toxic emissions. It estimated that more than 75% of textile waste is eventually incinerated.
In addition, the report underlined that much of the waste sorting is handled by informal sector workers, mostly women, who often work without protective equipment, basic infrastructure, or social support.
The researchers called for a national textile waste management policy and the adoption of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mechanisms, which would make manufacturers accountable for the full lifecycle of their products.
