RISE TO the Occasion

Bazaar India speaks with homegrown labels that practice recycling and upcycling for ways to repurpose pieces in one’s closet.

- Manish Mishra

Posters of model Shivami Kapoor being put up for the upcoming Lakme India Fashion Week in Mumbai, 2003

The resounding cry for recycling clothes has garnered many Likes and nods of approval from across the world, but how does the daily consumer recycle their clothes within India? For starters, there is no formal system for collection and segregation for post-consumer waste here. But there is movement. For instance, designer Kriti Tula of Doodlage’s recent venture, Phirlo, welcomes all consumers to send their old clothes to the brand—the design house will do the first round of segregation, send items to recycling units, and even sell what can be resold. “It’s essential to implement a sorting system for recycling units in India to help recycle post-consumer waste. Currently, sorted post-consumer waste is recycled in India from the rest of the world,” Kriti shares. However, she suggests that responsibility begins from the very first level of purchase and consumption. “Consume slowly by buying versatile styles that you’ll wear for a long time. Also, consider recyclable materials when shopping— currently, blended fabrics and polyester in our garments cannot be recycled. All natural materials are recyclable— viscose, cotton, and wool, to name a few. In addition, consider reusing and thrifting to increase the life of each product,” the Delhi-based designer adds.