New way to recycle old clothes: Arpan Kendras open across 10 Delhi Metro stations to donate unwanted garments; open from 7 am to 7 pm

‘Arpan Kendras’ has launched by The Delhi government at 10 metro stations where residents can donate their old clothes as part of an initiative aimed at reducing textile waste and promoting recycling.

The collection centres will allow people to drop off unwanted garments, which will then be sorted for reuse, upcycling or recycling instead of ending up in landfills.

The project has been launched in the first phase across selected metro stations, with plans to expand it further in the future.

Which Delhi metro stations will have Arpan Kendras?

The first phase of the initiative will set up collection centres at 10 metro stations:

• Shahdara
• Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital
• Malviya Nagar
• Hauz Khas
• Dwarka
• Mohan Estate
• Lajpat Nagar
• Mayur Vihar Phase-I
• Punjabi Bagh West
• Shalimar Bagh

The centres will remain open from 7 am to 7 pm, allowing commuters and nearby residents to donate clothes during the day.

How will people donate old clothes at Arpan Kendras?

Residents donating clothes will be able to scan a QR code available at the kiosks and provide details about themselves and the items being donated.

After verification, donors will receive an instant digital certificate confirming their contribution.

The initiative will also use a centralised dashboard to track donations across metro stations, helping authorities monitor the collection process and maintain transparency.

What will happen to the donated clothes?

The collected clothes will go through sorting to determine whether they can be reused, upcycled or recycled.

Garments that are still wearable will be transformed into products such as bags and decorative items through women-led self-help groups.

Clothes that cannot be reused will be processed for recycling and converted into materials such as yarn, fabric and other raw materials.

The programme will also separately process clothes used for religious purposes while taking care of religious sentiments during recycling.

How will the initiative help Delhi’s waste problem?

The Delhi government aims to reduce the amount of textile waste being sent to landfills by creating a system where old garments can get a second life.

The project follows the principles of a circular economy, where products are reused, repurposed or recycled instead of being discarded after one use.

Apart from environmental benefits, the initiative also aims to support women-led self-help groups involved in creating recycled products.

What did Delhi CM Rekha Gupta say about the project?

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the initiative combines environmental protection with women’s empowerment.

The government plans to expand the programme beyond the initial 10 metro stations, increasing access to clothing donation and recycling facilities across the city.

(With agency inputs)