New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted the pressing issue of textile waste, calling it a "huge challenge" for India and applauding efforts to tackle the problem. Speaking in his radio address, Modi emphasized that this challenge directly concerns everyone. "'Textile waste'—you might wonder what this new problem is.
In reality, it has become a major global concern. The habit of quickly discarding old clothes and purchasing new ones is growing worldwide," he said. Modi urged people to consider what happens to the clothes they no longer wear.
"This discarded fabric turns into textile waste. Extensive global research shows that less than one percent of textile waste is recycled into new garments," he noted, adding that India ranks third in the world in textile waste generation. "This means that we also face a huge challenge.
But I am happy that many commendable efforts are being undertaken in our country to deal with this challenge. Many Indian start-ups have started working on textile recovery facilities," the prime minister said. There are many such teams that are also working for the empowerment of our ragpicker brothers and sisters, he said.
"Many young friends are involved in the efforts towards sustainable fashion. They recycle old clothes and footwear and distribute them to the needy. Many items like decorative pieces, handbags, stationery and toys are being made from textile waste," he pointed out.
Many organisations are engaged in popularising th.
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