The Dark Side of Clothing Recycling in Panipat, India

1. A World Capital for Waste

Panipat, India, is known as the “Cast-off Capital of the World.” Every year, hundreds of tons of used clothing from Europe and other wealthy regions arrive here. While donors believe their old clothes are being reused, most are actually shredded and processed in factories by over 300,000 workers.

2. The Health Cost to Workers

Workers like Neerma Devi spend their days tearing apart old clothes. The process creates massive amounts of microfibers and dust that fill the air.

• The Problem: Most factories lack ventilation, masks, or protective gear.
• The Illnesses: Long-term exposure leads to incurable respiratory diseases like COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and asthma.
• The Reality: Many workers suffer from constant coughing and lung damage but cannot afford to quit because they need the income to survive.

3. Environmental Destruction

The recycling process involves bleaching and dyeing, which produces toxic wastewater.

• Water Pollution: About 80% of toxic wastewater is dumped untreated into rivers like the Yamuna River.
• Toxic Wells: Nearby villages can no longer drink their groundwater. It is contaminated with heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and mercury.
• Disease Outbreak: Local residents report high rates of skin diseases, cancer, and cardiovascular issues due to the polluted environment.

4. Failure of Regulation

While the Indian government and Prime Minister Modi promote “sustainable recycling,” the reality on the ground is different.

• Legal Loopholes: When the government shuts down illegal factories, owners often just change the factory name and reopen nearby.
• Weak Enforcement: Millions of dollars in fines are issued, but very little is actually collected or enforced.
• Owner Attitudes: Many factory owners dismiss the health risks, claiming that “dust and lint” aren’t dangerous and that workers simply refuse to wear masks because it is too hot.

5. From “Green” to “Shoddy”

The process turns old clothes into “shoddy yarn.” This yarn is used to make cheap blankets and carpets which are then exported back to the global market. While this is marketed as an eco-friendly “cycle,” it is built on a foundation of environmental damage and labor exploitation.

***Photo Reference: https://atmos.earth/fashion-and-design/the-high-price-of-circular-fashion-in-indias-recycling-capital/***