The Times of India          04.09.2013

Solid waste collection and handling promotes recycling of clothes

PUNE: In the coming festive season, waste-pickers co-operative SWaCH (Solid Waste Collection and Handling) has planned a drive to collect used clothes, but instead of focusing on charity, its message encourages reuse.

"We want to change the mindset of people giving out their clothes. We want them to think of it as entering the recycling chain and not as a donation," said Manisha Desai, outreach manager, SWaCH.

The clothes collected during the drive will be sold at nominal rates in slums and other areas where people cannot afford retail rates, she said, adding that this is why the organization is asking people to give clothes that are relatively in good condition.

Desai said the drive has been planned between Ganeshotsav and Diwali as it is usually the time for spring-cleaning in most households. Apart from collecting clothes from housing societies, the organization also plans to set up bins in public places.

"We will put up bins in offices for a few days so that it is convenient for employees to bring their old clothes. Similar bins will be put up in malls and clothes stores where shoppers can drop off old clothes," she said, adding that a bin will also be placed at the Indradhanush Environment Centre of the Pune Municipal Corporation.