Study: Imperatives and Opportunities for Gendered Interventions in the Textile Waste Value Chain
Report on Cluster level Gender Assessment of Textile Waste Supply Chain in Tiruppur and Panipat, India
India’s Textile and Apparel industry plays a critical role in the country’s economic landscape -- but beneath its growing contribution lies a less visible and under-addressed challenge: textile waste. As India begins to explore circularity in the Textile and Apparel Value Chain, attention is slowly turning to the informal and gendered dynamics of the textile waste ecosystem, particularly in key clusters such as Tiruppur and Panipat. This report provides insights into the critical role played by women in sorting operations, the disproportionate value they receive, and the structural barriers that limit their upward mobility. Drawing on field insights and examples of inclusive models, the report proposes a dual strategy – focused on collectivisation and capacity building – to transition the sector toward a more formal, equitable, and gender-responsive circular economy.
Read the full study here.