In a significant move towards fostering sustainability in India's textile industry, a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was inked at Bharat Tex 2024, the country's premier global textile event. The signing ceremony, held at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, saw the collaboration between the Textiles Committee, the Government e Marketplace (GeM), and the Standing Conference of Public Enterprises (SCOPE) for the promotion of upcycled products derived from textile waste and scrap.
Graced by Darshana Vikram Jardosh, Hon’ble Minister of State for Textiles and Railways, the event marked a crucial step towards integrating sustainability practices into the textile value chain. Joined by senior officials from the Ministry of Textiles, P K Singh, CEO of GeM, also lent his presence to the occasion.
Under the MoU, signed by representatives from each organization, including S P Verma from the Textiles Committee, Ajit B Chavan from GeM, and SubhRatna from SCOPE, the focus lies on upcycling textile waste to extend its lifecycle. Unlike traditional recycling methods that break down materials, upcycling aims to creatively repurpose discarded items into new, functional products, thus minimizing environmental impact.
GeM, through its extensive network, will facilitate direct market linkages for under-served seller groups, promoting upcycled products in public procurement. Additionally, the platform will undertake advocacy, awareness campaigns, and capacity building initiatives to engage stakeholders in the upcycling sector.
The initiative aligns with the global shift towards conscious consumption and addresses the Sustainable Development Goals of Sustainable Cities and Communities and Responsible Consumption and Production. GeM, since its inception, has played a pivotal role in streamlining government procurement processes, boasting a vast network of buyers and sellers across various product and service categories.
With sustainability at its core, the MoU signifies a collaborative effort towards a greener, more environmentally conscious textile industry, poised to make a positive impact on India's developmental agenda.
Since its launch in 2016, the portal has amassed 1.46 lakh Government buyers and over 21 lakh sellers and service-providers, spanning 11,980 product categories and 320+ service categories. In the ongoing fiscal year, it has processed 52.58 lakh orders, amounting to ₹3.52 Lakh Crore in Gross Merchandise Value (GMV).
