The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is taking a groundbreaking step to address the city’s growing textile waste problem by launching its first dedicated textile waste processing unit. This facility, an innovative initiative, will process 100 to 125 tonnes of textile waste daily in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Pune generates approximately 1,200 to 1,300 tonnes of dry waste and 900 to 1,000 tonnes of wet waste each day. While the city has established biogas plants and dry waste processing facilities, textile waste poses unique challenges due to its distinct properties. Items like mattresses, cushions, clothing, furniture materials, and leather products constitute around 10% of Pune’s total dry waste but disrupt standard processing systems.
Sandip Kadam, head of PMC’s Solid Waste Management Department, emphasized the operational difficulties caused by textile waste. Unlike other dry waste, textile materials cannot be compressed or processed using standard methods as they clog machinery and disrupt operations.
“This waste not only clogs feeder conveyors but also halts the entire process. Most people underestimate its environmental impact,” Kadam explained. The new unit aims to mitigate these issues while ensuring an eco-friendly approach to waste management.
Project Highlights
Capacity: The facility will process 100-125 tonnes of textile waste daily.
Budget: The project is estimated to cost ₹3 to ₹4 crore.
Location: PMC is finalizing a site, with approval from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) expected soon.
Timeline: The project is slated to go to tender later this month.
Sustainability Goals
This initiative is part of PMC’s broader strategy to improve waste management systems as Pune’s population grows and waste volumes rise. By introducing a specialized solution for textile waste, the city moves closer to achieving sustainable waste management practices.
The project underscores PMC’s commitment to tackling pressing environmental challenges and sets a precedent for other urban centers grappling with similar issues.
