Archive · 13 Sep 2026
Delhi Metro Centres Collect Over 41 Tonnes of Old Clothes
Delhi has collection centres where people can leave clothes they no longer need.
Ten centres have collected more than 41 tonnes of clothing.
Nearly 4,000 people have used them.
Some clothes will be reused or made into new products.
Much of the material is being sent for recycling.
Self-help groups are making items such as bags, rugs and pouches from some of the clothes.
These products are sold at the centres.
The government wants to open 10 more centres in January 2027.
Ten Arpan Centres at Delhi Metro stations collected 41,181.59 kg of old clothes from 3,940 people by August 31.
Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital and Shalimar Bagh recorded the highest collections, with 9,861.40 kg and 9,761.03 kg respectively.
Officials said 4,266 kg was earmarked for reuse or upcycling, while 29,424 kg was sent for recycling.
Self-help groups are turning some clothes into rugs, folders, key rings, pouches, bags and torans; centre sales reached Rs 27,036.
The Delhi government has proposed 10 more Arpan Centres at Metro stations for January 2027.
- Who
- The Delhi government, Delhi residents, officials and self-help groups are involved.
- What
- Ten Arpan Centres collected 41,181.59 kg of old clothes for reuse, upcycling or recycling.
- When
- The collection total was recorded as of August 31; 10 more centres are proposed for January 2027.
- Where
- The existing centres are at 10 Delhi Metro stations, and the proposed centres would be at 10 additional stations.
- Why
- The initiative gives residents a way to dispose of unwanted clothes while supporting their further use.
- Existing centres
- 10 Arpan Centres at Delhi Metro stations
- Clothing collected
- 41,181.59 kg by August 31
- Contributors
- 3,940 people
- Reuse or upcycling
- About 4,266 kg
- Recycling
- 29,424 kg
- Sales
- Rs 27,036 from products made by self-help groups
- Planned expansion
- 10 additional centres proposed for January 2027