This project examined the key drivers and possible benefits of implementing a successful EPR system in the Indian textile sector. It assessed India’s preparedness for EPR, leveraging significant insights from the best practices in the Global North and the preparedness of Global South countries (particularly, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Brazil, Philippines, and Indonesia) in implementing EPR guidelines in the textile and apparel sector. The report also gathered learnings from India’s experience with EPR implementation in other sectors such as plastics, which was introduced to curb the growing plastic waste menace. A series of stakeholder consultations and semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather first-hand insights into the textile and apparel landscape, real-time opportunities, challenges and benefits of waste management, and prerequisites for a comprehensive EPR framework in this sector.
An EPR framework has been proposed in this study, optimising the forward and reverse logistics. Critical components of the framework include- encouraging sustainable raw material sourcing and design for the environment; setting targets for recycled material usage, enforced by the producer responsibility organisation(s) and monitored by the inspecting committee; separating textile waste collection and fostering a closed-loop system; establishing waste management infrastructure and encouraging technological innovation; introducing a product labelling system to aid end-of-life sorting and recycling; including the informal sector into the formal system of waste management; and conducting capacity-building and sensitisation drives to educate all stakeholders on sustainable practices.
Moreover, the study proposed a sustainable financial flow model, taking into consideration the equitable distribution of costs, provision of incentives and subsidies, and fair allocation of responsibilities or waste management burden across different stakeholders in the value chain. A decentralised EPR fund can be established with an eco-modulated fee based on the costs incurred in transporting, sorting, segregating, and recycling the waste.
A roadmap for a phased rollout of the EPR framework and financial model is also delineated in this report. It begins with stakeholder mobilisation, the formation of a consortium, and pilot experimentation of the framework, with voluntary participation in the short and medium periods. This can then be scaled up at the national level in the long run, after completing the feedback loop, with mandatory compliance. The roadmap suggests introducing incremental recycling targets, progressive enforcement mechanisms, and promoting collaboration among relevant stakeholders for knowledge and resource sharing.
