India’s Textile Waste Crisis Meets a $3.5 Billion Solution: Primus Partners & Maharashtra Govt Release Action Plan

New report at Bharat Tex 2025 charts India’s path to a zero-waste fashion industry, calling for policy reforms, green tech adoption, and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

Primus Partners, in collaboration with the Government of Maharashtra, has launched a groundbreaking report at Bharat Tex 2025, outlining a strategic roadmap to transform India’s textile industry into a zero-waste sector by 2047. With textile waste becoming a growing environmental and economic challenge, the report highlights how India can unlock a $3.5 billion opportunity and create 1 lakh new jobs by implementing sustainable manufacturing, textile waste management, and policy reforms.
The report, titled “Making India a Zero-Waste Fashion Country – A $3.5 Billion Economic Opportunity Creating 1 Lakh Jobs“, was officially presented by Hon’ble Minister of Textiles, Mr. Sanjay Savkare, with Maharashtra serving as the Knowledge Partner. The launch event brought together key leaders, including Chief Minister Shri. Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Shri. Eknath Shinde and Shri. Ajit Pawar, Industry Minister Shri. Udit Samant, and senior policymakers, all of whom emphasized the urgent need to shift towards a circular economy in fashion.

The textile industry is one of India’s largest economic drivers, but it also contributes significantly to waste generation and pollution. The report highlights that India produces over 1 million tons of textile waste annually, much of which goes into landfills or is incinerated, causing severe environmental damage. However, through sustainable interventions and circular economy practices, the sector could repurpose waste into high-value materials, boost exports, and generate employment in recycling, green technology, and sustainable fashion innovation.
A key component of the report is the 5F Framework, which outlines a structured approach to embedding sustainability across Farm, Fiber, Factory, Fashion, and Foreign.
To drive the shift towards zero-waste fashion, the report calls for a National Sustainable Textile Policy and the introduction of an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Scheme. These measures would hold manufacturers accountable for waste reduction while ensuring that textile waste collection, recycling, and disposal infrastructure is strengthened. Additionally, the report recommends the establishment of Textile Waste Collection Centers across India, allowing manufacturers and consumers to responsibly recycle textile waste.

The financial barriers to sustainable fashion adoption remain one of the biggest hurdles in India. The report stresses the need for government-backed incentives, low-cost green loans, and dedicated funding programs for textile manufacturers willing to adopt circular economy principles. It also highlights the importance of training programs to equip workers with skills in sustainable textile production, ensuring that the transition to a zero-waste system benefits not just businesses but also India’s labor force.
Speaking at the launch, Kanishk Maheshwari, Co-Founder & Managing Director of Primus Partners, expressed optimism about the future of India’s textile sector. “This report isn’t just about managing waste; it’s about rethinking the way we produce, consume, and recycle textiles. India has the potential to lead the world in sustainable fashion, but we need policy frameworks, industry collaboration, and public awareness to make this vision a reality.”

With India aiming to become a global leader in sustainable fashion, the report presents a clear vision for achieving that goal. By 2030, it predicts that India can cut textile waste by 50%, generate 1 lakh green jobs, and establish itself as a preferred destination for ethical and eco-friendly fashion. However, achieving this will require collective action from policymakers, industry leaders, and consumers.

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