The bustling city of Bengaluru has become the focal point of an innovative waste management campaign aimed at transforming how residents dispose of their old clothes responsibly. BBC Media Action, in collaboration with the Saamuhika Shakti collective, has launched the ‘Got Old Clothes?’ campaign, a part of the #Invaluables initiative. This project spotlights the critical role waste pickers play in combating textile waste and fostering environmental sustainability.
The campaign introduces a novel business card, crafted from discarded textiles collected at Dry Waste Collection Centres (DWCCs) and produced by waste picker families trained at skill development centers operated by the Sambhav Foundation. These cards are not merely symbolic; they come with a functional WhatsApp number, managed by Hasiru Dala—a Saamuhika Shakti partner—offering guidance on disposing of old garments responsibly. By contacting +91 9741730854, users connect to a chatbot that directs them to the nearest DWCCs to drop off their unwanted textiles. For larger quantities exceeding 50 kilograms, Hasiru Dala provides convenient doorstep collection services.
Amid rising environmental concerns, the initiative addresses India’s staggering 7.2 million tonnes of annual textile waste, as highlighted in a report by Enviu. This waste, primarily post-consumer, adds significantly to landfill burdens, exacerbating air, water, and soil pollution, and contributing to climate change through heightened carbon emissions. Textiles represent the third largest category of waste in landfills, underscoring the pressing need for sustainable disposal solutions.
“Acknowledging and reimagining the waste pickers as essential professionals within our waste management ecosystem is pivotal,” remarked Soma Katiyar, Executive Creative Director at BBC Media Action, India. “The card is not just a tool for action but a symbol of the value and recognition waste pickers deserve.”
Hasiru Dala’s research points out that approximately 60% of textiles collected at DWCCs in Bengaluru have significant recycling potential if segregated properly. The city engages roughly 22,500 waste pickers who play a vital role in its waste management infrastructure, emphasizing their indispensable contribution to a circular economy.
To bolster these efforts, the Circular Apparel Innovation Factory—another Saamuhika Shakti partner—alongside Hasiru Dala, has established a decentralized system for gathering and processing post-consumer textile waste. This system spans 16 wards in Bengaluru, efficiently funneling discarded clothing from collection points to a Textile Recovery Facility where they are systematically recycled.
Prominent personalities, including actor Danish Sait, lent their voices to the campaign, hoping it would inspire citizens to adopt responsible disposal practices and actively support waste pickers’ endeavors in reducing landfill contributions. “I believe this campaign will catalyze a much-needed shift in how we manage textile waste,” Sait commented, urging Bengaluru’s residents to take part actively.
By driving awareness and facilitating action, the ‘Got Old Clothes?’ campaign aims to not only manage textile waste sustainably but also empower those at the core of this eco-friendly transformation. Launched with a clear call to action and robust community support, this initiative seeks to redefine Bengaluru’s environmental landscape, promoting a culture of responsibility and recognition for all involved in the waste management cycle.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/got-old-clothes-heres-a-business-card-to-dispose-them-of/article69456474.ece
Category : Bengaluru
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Publish Date: 2025-04-17 02:43:00
