Navi Mumbai: In a significant step towards sustainable waste management and women’s empowerment, Navi Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Dr. Kailas Shinde has called on citizens to actively participate in the city’s Textile Recycling Facility project and opt for eco-friendly decorations during Ganesh Chaturthi. The civic chief has also instructed officials to expand the cloth collection network and boost public outreach to ensure greater involvement.
Commissioner Reviews Belapur Centre, Orders Expansion of Collection Bins
Dr. Shinde visited the textile recycling centre near Sunil Gavaskar Maidan in Belapur Sector 1, where he interacted with working women and project staff. He issued directives to scale up operations, increase public awareness, and improve the availability of recycled decorative products across high-footfall locations such as malls and markets.
Citizens Encouraged to Celebrate with Recycled Textile Decorations
“We encourage all citizens to opt for sustainable décor made from recycled textiles for Ganeshotsav. These products are not only eco-friendly but also crafted by women’s groups as part of a socially impactful initiative,” Dr. Shinde said.
First-of-Its-Kind Project Transforms Old Clothes into Yarn and Craft Items
The project — a first-of-its-kind initiative in India — is a collaboration between the Union Ministry of Textiles and Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), supported by SBI Foundation, IDH India Hub, and Tisser Artisan Trust. It converts old clothes into reusable materials such as yarn and decorative items, reducing textile waste and generating employment for women’s self-help groups.
Currently Active in 260 Societies; More Collection Points to Be Added
Currently, the project operates in 260 housing societies, with dedicated cloth collection bins and vehicles. The commissioner directed officials to install additional bins in municipal headquarters, government offices, and more residential areas. Collected clothing is sorted into eight categories before being processed.
The facility has emerged as a source of meaningful employment for local women while diverting textile waste away from landfills. Dr. Shinde has recommended increasing the number of sewing machines and equipment at the centre and ensuring prompt provision of all necessary amenities for the women employed there.
Eco-Friendly Festival Products to Be Showcased in Malls and Markets
Ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi, Dr. Shinde emphasized celebrating the festival in an environmentally responsible way by using decorations made from recycled textiles. He suggested that display kiosks be set up in markets and public spaces to promote these items and support the women artisans behind them.
