Pune Municipal Corporation To Launch Pune’s First Textile Waste Processing Unit

In a major step toward sustainable waste management, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is set to establish the city’s first dedicated textile waste processing unit. The initiative aims to address the growing challenge of managing the 100 to 125 tonnes of textile waste generated daily, which cannot be processed alongside regular solid waste.
Officials have stated that the location of the unit will be finalized based on the necessary permissions from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB). However, the tender to set up the facility will be floated later this month.
Pune generates approximately 1,200 to 1,300 tonnes of dry waste and 900 to 1,000 tonnes of wet waste daily. The PMC currently operates 12 biogas plants to process wet waste and 13 facilities for dry waste. Out of the total dry waste, 100 to 125 tonnes consist of textile waste, which includes items such as mattresses, cushions, clothes, sofa upholstery, glass fibers, furniture, leather bags, and shoes.
Sandip Kadam, head of PMC’s Solid Waste Management (SWM) department, highlighted the need for a specialized processing unit. “Textile waste poses unique challenges as it cannot be processed with regular dry waste. Its size and composition prevent compression and often cause blockages in feeder conveyors,” he explained.
Kadam emphasized the environmental impact of improperly managed textile waste, stating, “Most people are unaware of the harm caused by textile waste to the environment. The new unit will ensure eco-friendly processing and reduce its adverse effects.”
The estimated cost of the project is between Rs 3 crore and Rs 4 crore, although the final figure will depend on factors such as land allocation and machinery requirements.
Once operational, the facility is expected to significantly improve Pune’s waste management capabilities, marking a major milestone in the city’s sustainability efforts.