As we observe International Zero Waste Day on March 30, the global spotlight is on the critical need to eliminate waste from one of the most waste intensive and environmentally impactful industry: fashion and textiles. The sector utilizes substantial amount of resources like water, chemicals, energy and in turn generates massive amounts of waste, threatening the overall human and environmental welfare and underscoring the urgency of adopting sustainable and circular practices.
History and Significance
Recognizing the escalating waste crisis, the UN general Assembly, in its 77th session adopted the resolution, proclaiming 30th March as the International Day of Zero Waste. The resolution, first put forward by Türkiye along with 105 other countries, including India was unanimously adopted on 22nd December 2022. Jointly facilitated by the UNEP and UN HABITAT, this day aims to draw attention to various themes relevant to the global waste crisis.
The theme for 2025 edition, 'Towards Zero Waste in Fashion and Textiles', underscores the urgent need to evaluate and assess the rising environmental concerns associated with the fashion and textile sector. It also aligns closely with the goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly Sustainable Development Goal 11 and Sustainable Development Goal 12. These goals address sustainable management of resources and environmentally sound handling of all waste to minimize their adverse impact on human health and the environment.
Growing Crisis: The hidden impacts of fashion and textile waste
Globally, clothing and textiles waste account for 7 per cent of total waste in landfills[1]. The challenge lies not only in the quantity of waste being generated, but also in the complex nature of textile materials. Most garments today are made from blended fabrics such as cotton polyester that are difficult to separate and recycle using conventional methods. Additionally, the lack of adequate infrastructure, especially in developing economies where textile waste is growing rapidly further compounds the challenge of mismanagement. Collection systems are fragmented, sorting facilities are inadequate and recycling technologies are either underdeveloped or economically unviable. The sheer volume of garments discarded as a result of fast fashion and overconsumption places an additional burden on the existing systems.
India stands at a crucial crossroad. As the world’s sixth-largest exporter of textiles and apparel, the sector contributed to 8.21% of the country’s total exports in 2023-24[2]. The market for Indian textiles and apparel is projected to grow at a 10% CAGR to reach US$ 350 billion by 2030, with exports expected to reach US$100 billion[3]. The stakes are high, as this booming sector grapples with managing ~7793 kilotons[4] of textile waste generated annually, primarily from a) Pre-consumer waste generated during manufacturing process including fibers, yarn, fabric, surplus fabrics and or rejects and b) Post-consumer waste escalating by consumer behaviour trends. A Mckinsey study estimates, the average person is buying 60 per cent more clothing than 15 years ago[5], while each item is kept for only half as long. With increasing demand for quick and cheap fashion and the absence of adequate waste management systems and circular practices, this mounting waste poses serious sustainability challenges.
At its core, zero-waste is a set of guiding principles encouraging elimination of waste at all stages of product/ material lifecycle. Additionally, the zero-waste approach pushes a shift from the traditional linear model of “take-make-dispose" to circular systems where waste is minimized, by creating loops to retain products and materials at their highest value.
TERI has been at the forefront in catalyzing sustainable practices in India’s textile sector. Its report “A guide to promoting circular economy in textiles in India” outlines a strategic roadmap for integrating the principles of circular economy within India’s textile sector. Drawing from the insights collected in Ludhiana’s dynamic textile clusters, the report provides a clear pathway for phased transition – from the prevailing state to a desired state focusing on design, production, consumption and end–of-life stages supported by technology, policy, market structures and financial mechanism
Strategic Pathways to Achieve Zero Waste in Fashion and Textiles
Transitioning the fashion and textile industry towards a zero-waste future requires a multifaceted strategy that addresses inefficiencies across the value chain from design to its disposal. This transition demands innovation, collaboration, consumer engagement and robust policy frameworks. Key strategies are highlighted in the following segment:
Strengthening Recycling and upcycling infrastructure:
Textile recycling in India is currently limited to mechanical processes which often compromise the quality of recycled output. This method is limited in its ability to process blended fabrics or synthetic materials thar are increasingly common in modern apparel. Coordinated efforts are needed from various players to facilitate the development of an advanced recycling ecosystem in India.
- Scientific research into novel recycling techniques such as chemical and biotechnological textile waste valorization
- Setting up infrastructure for collection, segregation and overall streamlining of the post-industrial and post-use textile waste is essential to achieve economic viability
- Public Private partnerships and multi stakeholder collaborations are essential for establishing shared recycling infrastructure and circular supply chains benefiting all players from manufacturers to recyclers. Investing in textile-to-textile recycling technologies and supporting local enterprises/MSMEs can catalyze innovations.
Improving traceability and accountability across the value chain
Building traceability into the overall textile value chain is key to ensuring transparency, enabling better material recovery and holding the brand accountable. A traceable system tracks products from their raw material stages to end-of-life, creating foundation for circularity.
- Introducing a robust EPR framework for textile waste, mandating producers to manage the collection, recycling and reintegration of discarded products. Learnings form the successful EPR models in plastic, e-waste, batteries etc. can guide implementation in the textile sector
- Adopting digital tools such as RFID, blockchain and AI can improve tacking of products from raw materials to consumers
- Encouraging brands to take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their products and holding brands accountable to manage the post-use textile waste can incentivize brands to implement upstream measures such as designing products for durability, modularity and recyclability, to reduce waste and extend product life.
Promoting Consumer Awareness and Sustainable Consumption
Consumer awareness and individual actions can play a crucial role in addressing overconsumption and post-use textile waste. Consumers have the power to make conscious choices that will drive demand for low waste and circular fashion better fashion and influence positive change.
- Raising awareness regarding the environmental impact of fast fashion and promoting sustainable consumption practices.
- Encouraging consumers to follow the principles of the waste hierarchy by minimizing over consumption to prevent waste being generated in the first place by reusing and repairing whenever possible.
Developing Circular Systems
Adopting a holistic approach is important to address the emerging challenge of textile waste management. The Circular Economy model provides the means to address this challenge through systemic interventions to ensure that products are made to last, easy to disassemble and suitable for material recovery.
- Implementing zero waste patterns by prioritizing renewable or recycled materials that can be easily recovered and applying circular design principles to create durable products.
- Reintroducing post-industrial waste into the production process as it is mostly uncontaminated, making for high quality feedstocks[6].
- Systematically recovering post-use waste and directing towards textile-to-textile recycling infrastructure to create closed loop systems, reduce dependency on virgin materials and achieve economies of scale.
A call to action
International Zero Waste Day 2025 offers a powerful opportunity that systemic changes requires collective efforts. Governments must enact enabling policies, industries must embed sustainability in core operations, communities must support local circular solutions and individuals must adopt mindful consumption habits.
Moving forward to zero waste in future requires a shared commitment to build systems that are sustainable, traceable and circular, ensuring that fashion evolves from being a major contributor to global waste into a leader in environmental responsibility.
[2] https://texmin.nic.in/sites/default/files/MOT%20Annual%20Report%20English%20%2807.11.2024%29.pdf
[4] https://www.idhsustainabletrade.com/uploaded/2023/09/IDH_textile-waste-cost-analysis_2023.pdf
[6] Upstream circularity playbook- Global Fashion Agenda