ReFiber Launches Mumbai Textile Recycling Initiative
ReFiber, powered by OterRi, will launch a city-wide post-consumer textile waste collection and upcycling initiative in Mumbai on World Environment Day, June 5, 2026. The programme aims to establish a structured ecosystem for collecting, sorting, recovering and repurposing discarded textiles while generating environmental and social benefits.
The initiative will be officially launched at the MVIRDC World Trade Centre, Mumbai, in the presence of Vrunda Desai, Textile Commissioner, Ministry of Textiles, as Chief Guest. Actor, producer and sustainability advocate Dia Mirza, who also serves as a UNEP Goodwill Ambassador, will attend as Special Guest.
A key feature of the launch will be the unveiling of the ReFiber Upcycled Products Marketplace, which will showcase products developed from recovered textile materials. The marketplace will initially feature offerings from Tisser and is designed to create wider market access for upcycled products while supporting women artisans and self-help groups engaged in sustainable production activities.
According to the organisers, the initiative seeks to address the growing challenge of post-consumer textile waste by creating value from discarded garments and textiles. By integrating collection, recovery and upcycling processes, ReFiber aims to divert textile waste from landfills and support the development of a circular textile economy.
Shrikant Bhangdiya, MD & CEO of MKS Ecosphere LLP – ReFiber (powered by OterRi), said the initiative represents an important step towards building a scalable model for textile circularity in India.
“Every garment recovered instead of discarded contributes to waste reduction, resource conservation and livelihood creation. Through collaborations across the textile value chain, we aim to transform textile waste into economic opportunity while promoting sustainable consumption and responsible disposal practices,” he said.
The initiative is being implemented through a multi-stakeholder partnership involving Tisser as the women empowerment and upcycling partner, the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) as the industry association partner, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) as the knowledge and sustainability partner, World Trade Centre Mumbai as the institutional partner, and Lions International as the community engagement partner.
The launch event will bring together industry leaders, sustainability experts, policymakers, innovators and community representatives to discuss strategies for strengthening textile circularity and accelerating the adoption of responsible waste management practices across the sector.
As sustainability and extended producer responsibility gain increasing importance within the textile and apparel industry, initiatives such as ReFiber are expected to play a critical role in promoting resource efficiency, waste reduction and inclusive livelihood generation while supporting India’s transition towards a circular economy.
