India, July 14 -- Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday launched the Old Clothes Donation Project, aimed at promoting textile recycling, reducing waste and creating livelihood opportunities for women. The initiative was launched after a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), the DMRC Ladies Welfare Organisation (DLWO), the Delhi Government's State Urban Livelihood Mission (SULM), and textile recycling organisations Clothes Box Foundation and Respun. Under the project, 'Arpan Kendras' will be set up at 10 major Delhi Metro stations, including Hauz Khas, Lajpat Nagar, Dwarka, Shahdara and Punjabi Bagh West. Also Read - At least 2 dead in fire at Noida building, cops say spark started from charging EV The centres, which will operate daily from 7 am to 7 pm, will collect old and unused clothes from citizens for recycling and upcycling. Speaking at the launch, Gupta said the initiative would help reduce textile waste, promote a circular economy and encourage public participation in environmental conservation. She added that the project also aims to empower women by creating sustainable livelihood opportunities through Self-Help Groups (SHGs). Collected clothes will be sorted into different categories. Wearable garments will be upcycled into products such as bags and decorative items by SHGs, while unusable textiles will be recycled into yarn, fabric and other raw materials. Sacred cloth used in religious rituals will also be recycled respectfully. Also Read - MCD rolls out EduLife 2.0 for schools Women associated with SULM's SHGs will manage the Arpan Kendras after receiving specialised training in textile recycling and upcycling. DMRC will provide the infrastructure, while Clothes Box Foundation and Respun will handle segregation, recycling and technical support. Citizens can donate clothes by scanning a QR code at the kiosks, filling in a digital form and receiving an instant digital certificate. The donation system will be digitally tracked through a central dashboard to ensure transparency and monitor participation. The government plans to expand the initiative across Delhi in the coming months.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.