CM Rekha Gupta's initiative: Old clothes collection boxes to be installed at 10 Delhi metro stations
New Delhi, May 26
A new initiative aimed at promoting environmental conservation and sustainable development is set to be launched in Delhi under the guidance of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.
According to the chief's minister's office, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will install special collection boxes for old clothes at 10 major Metro stations across the capital, where people will be able to deposit garments they no longer use. These clothes will be recycled and converted into useful products.
CM Gupta said, "Delhi government is continuously working towards building a clean, green and environmentally responsible capital. Textile waste is among the rapidly growing environmental challenges, and this initiative will ensure the scientific recycling of old clothes. The effort is expected not only to reduce waste but also to strengthen sustainable development."
The 10 Metro stations identified for the initiative are Shahdara (Red Line), Mohan Estate (Violet Line), Rohini West (Red Line), Lajpat Nagar (Violet and Pink Lines), Malviya Nagar (Yellow Line), Mayur Vihar Phase-I (Blue and Pink Lines), Hauz Khas (Yellow and Magenta Lines), Punjabi Bagh West (Pink and Green Lines), Dwarka (Blue Line) and Shalimar Bagh (Pink Line). These stations have been selected by the Operations Department, and the locations have also been reviewed by the security team.
The Chief Minister said the objective of the initiative is to connect people with the recycling campaign and create awareness about the reuse of clothing.
The Chief Minister further said that the Delhi government will ensure that the collected clothes are utilised in an environmentally friendly manner and that transparency and efficiency are maintained throughout the process. Under the initiative, the garments will be segregated into different categories and made available to reputed non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and self-help groups (SHGs) for reuse and upcycling into useful products. Various items, including bags and rugs, will be made from these clothes.
DMRC will also provide dedicated spaces at selected Metro stations for the display and sale of these upcycled products. The remaining garments will be sent to recycling units, where they will be converted into products such as yarn, fibre and non-woven felt, ensuring minimal waste. In connection with the project, DMRC's Civil (O&M) Department has approached various agencies. One company has expressed its willingness to install collection boxes at the identified stations, and site inspections have already been carried out by its representatives. The company is engaged in the production of recycled yarn, recycled fibre and recycled non-woven products.
According to DMRC, the collection areas at the selected stations will be branded under the name of the Delhi Metro Ladies Welfare Organisation (DMLWO). Formalities related to the installation of collection boxes, branding and the signing of an MoU are currently being completed. The Chief Minister said the project will be formally launched once the process is completed.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good initiative, but why only 10 stations? Delhi has dozens of metro stations. This should be expanded to all major stations. Also, the government needs to ensure that the clothes actually reach NGOs and recycling units, not end up in some landfill. CM Gupta should also involve local RWAs to collect from residential areas. Small steps are fine, but let's think big!
As someone who lived in Delhi for years, I find this fantastic. In western countries, textile recycling is very common. It's great to see Delhi taking this seriously. The key will be awareness – many people don't even know this service exists. DMRC should put clear signage and maybe even a QR code explaining the process. Kudos to CM Gupta for thinking about sustainability! 👍
This is lovely, but I have some concerns. What if the collection boxes are misused? People might dump wet or dirty clothes, making recycling impossible. Also, will there be any hygiene checks before clothes are processed? And I hope the revenue from selling upcycled products goes back into the community, not into some private company's pocket. Transparency is key! 🤔
Great step! I've been waiting for something like this. My wife and I always have clothes that are perfectly good but we just don't use. Earlier we had to find charities ourselves, but now we can just drop them at the metro. Would love to see these boxes at more stations like Rajiv Chowk and Kashmere Gate which have huge footfall. And please make the collection process contactless – just a simple drop slot! 🚇
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