Archive · 19 Jul 2026
India's Circular Fashion Trend Turns Trash into Trendy Wear
In India, there's a new fashion trend where clothes and accessories are made from recycled materials like plastic bottles, banana stems, and even cow dung.
People like Ranju Sable, who collect plastic bottles for a living, and Rhea Sethi, who buys these eco-friendly fashion items, are part of this movement.
Designers and entrepreneurs are creating modern fabrics from various waste materials, turning trash into trendy wear.
This helps reduce waste and promotes sustainability.
While the market for sustainable fashion is growing, it still has a long way to go.
Companies are also playing a big role in pushing for sustainability, making it a part of their branding and future goals.
Waste pickers like Ranju Sable collect plastic bottles for a living, selling them for a small profit.
Consumers like Rhea Sethi are buying fashion items made from recycled materials, such as plastic bottles and banana stems.
Designers and entrepreneurs are creating modern fabrics from waste materials, promoting sustainability.
The formal sustainable fashion segment in India is growing at 9–10 percent annually.
Companies are driving sustainability due to its impact on branding and future goals.
- Who
- Waste pickers like Ranju Sable and consumers like Rhea Sethi, along with designers and entrepreneurs.
- What
- A growing trend in India where fashion items are made from recycled materials.
- When
- The trend is currently ongoing and growing.
- Where
- Primarily in urban areas of India, such as Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru.
- Why
- To promote sustainability, reduce waste, and create eco-friendly fashion options.
- Ranju Sable
- A waste picker in Mumbai who collects plastic bottles for a living.
- Rhea Sethi
- A digital marketer who buys fashion items made from recycled materials.
- Circular Economy
- An economic system aimed at eliminating waste and the continual use of resources.
- Recycled Materials
- Materials such as PET bottles, banana stems, aloe vera rind, hemp, and more.
- Sustainable Fashion Brands
- Neeman’s, Caslay, Doodlage, Thaely, Goya Swim Co., and others.
- Market Growth
- The formal sustainable fashion segment is growing at 9–10 percent annually.
- Greenwashing
- A practice where companies falsely claim their products are environmentally friendly.
- Corporate Push
- Companies are driving sustainability due to its impact on branding and future goals.