Wanna recycle your old clothes? Now donate at Delhi Metro!

A new initiative in Delhi aims to give discarded clothes a second life by promoting recycling and upcycling across the city. In a significant step, the Delhi Metro (DMRC), its Ladies Welfare Organisation (DLWO), the Delhi Government’s State Urban Livelihood Mission (SULM) and textile recycling partners Clothes Box Foundation and Respun have come together through an to address the growing issue of textile waste.

Under this recycling initiative, special collection centres named ‘Arpan’ will be set up at 10 Delhi Metro stations, providing citizens with a convenient platform to donate unused clothes. In the first phase, these centres will be launched at Shahdara, Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital, Malviya Nagar, Hauz Khas, Dwarka, Mohan Estate, Lajpat Nagar, Mayur Vihar Phase-1, Punjabi Bagh West and Shalimar Bagh stations. The centres will operate daily from 7 am to 7 pm.

Alongside, kiosks will also display and sell products made from recycled and upcycled materials.

Donated clothes will be carefully sorted into categories. Wearable items will be upcycled by self-help groups into useful products such as bags and decorative items, creating livelihood opportunities. Non-usable textiles will be processed into raw materials for new products. Even sacred or ritual textiles will be handled respectfully and recycled appropriately.

The programme also focuses on skill development, with self-help groups receiving training in textile recycling techniques. Citizens can digitally register their donations using QR codes at kiosks, ensuring transparency and ease of participation.

With DMRC providing infrastructure and recycling partners offering technical expertise, the initiative promotes a circular economy while encouraging public participation. The government plans to expand Arpan Kendras across Delhi, making sustainable waste management a collective effort.