Bengaluru gets Circular Textile Lab to keep fabric waste out of landfills

Bengaluru’s first Circular Textile Lab was inaugurated by Minister Ramalinga Reddy in Koramangala on Monday. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement To keep textile waste out of landfills and create employment opportunities for local tailors and women, Bengaluru’s first Circular Textile Lab was inaugurated at Kasa Rasa Kendra, a ward-level solid waste management centre initiated by the NGO Saahas, in Koramangala on Monday. This is the first such initiative in the city. The facility, an initiative by South City Corporation, was inaugurated by Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy, alongside other GBA officials. The Circular Textile Lab will collect textile waste from garment units and tailors and process it for reuse. The facility will use the collected material to make garments and eco-friendly bags, while providing employment opportunities to economically-disadvantaged communities. A thrift store is also being set up at the facility to sell products made from recycled textiles. The revenue generated will be used for the welfare of workers and management of the project. The centre also has an effluent and sewage treatment system to treat dyes and chemicals generated during textile processing. The project, which has previously been implemented in the Kolar Gold Fields (KGF), will initially operate in Koramangala and will expand to other wards in Bengaluru. Alongside the textile lab, an SWM Learning Centre was also inaugurated at the Kasa Rasa Kendra. The center will offer training on waste segregation, composting, waste reduction at source and the 7 R principles of sustainability that expands the traditional 3 R’s (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) into a comprehensive framework that prioritises waste prevention over disposal. Unlike an usual classroom-based training facility, the centre is located within an operational waste-processing unit that handles around 18 tonnes of waste a day. The public will be able to use the facility for hands-on learning about waste management. Published - September 07, 2026 10:48 pm IST