Garment Waste Crisis in India: A Growing Environmental Threat
🟥 1. How Real Is the Threat of Garment Waste in India? A Massive and Growing Concern India produces nearly 7,800 kilotonnes of textile waste annually , one of the world’s largest totals, making up about 8.5% of global textile waste . Of this, post-consumer waste (discarded clothes and home textiles) contributes over 50% . Landfill Overload and Decomposition Issues Around 34% of post-consumer waste ends up in landfills . In total, 80–85% of textile waste is landfilled. Synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon can take centuries to decompose, releasing microplastics and greenhouse gases . 🟧 2. Environmental & Health Impacts 2.1 Greenhouse Gases & Methane Emissions Decomposing textiles emit methane , a pollutant far more dangerous than CO₂. Major landfills in Delhi (Ghazipur, Bhalswa, Okhla) release large methane volumes, causing fires and severe health hazards . 2.2 Microplastics & Soil-Water Pollution Synthetic fibers shed microplast...