Clothes With A Conscience
Clothes With A Conscience
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Meet The Waghris, India's Invisible Recyclers, Collecting Old Clothes From Doorstep

Going from door-to-door, with a bundle of clothes and another one of utensils, asking for old clothes are the Waghris. There are thousands like them, across all of India, who spend their afternoons collecting old clothes from societies and housing complexes, apartment buildings and colonies, in exchange for utensils or other household goods. The Waghris, a nomadic community, has been operating an informal and often invisible old-clothes recycling trade for more than a hundred years now.

Clothes With A Conscience

Reports suggest that textile waste is the second-largest contributor to pollution in India. Fast fashion, toxic dyes, mass industrialization, and lack of repurposing have led to a massive increase in textile waste. Globally, around 10% of textile gets reused and the rest goes to landfills. This creates an enormous ripple effect on the environment, with a rise in landfills, emission of greenhouse gases, and climate change. The youth must focus on environmentally sustainable practices.

USHA and NDTV want to encourage and educate the masses on the need for sustainable fashion and repurposing. The 4-month initiative is about building conversations and awareness around repurposing textiles and sustainable fashion. The campaign will feature brands and individuals who are promoting recycling and upcycling, giving your clothes a conscience.