Mumbai : ReFiber, a technology-enabled post-consumer textile collection and recovery company powered by OterRi, has entered into a Letter of Intent (LoI) with the Textile Recovery Facility (TRF), Belapur, Navi Mumbai, to strengthen technology-led digital collection of used clothes and build more structured pathways for post-consumer textiles to enter the recovery ecosystem. The LoI was signed on behalf of ReFiber by Mr. Manoj Wanvari, COO, ReFiber, powered by OterRi.
The signing, held in the presence of Shri Giriraj Singh, Hon’ble Union Minister of Textiles, and Ms. Vrunda Manohar Desai, Textile Commissioner, marks an important step in ReFiber’s continued efforts to strengthen the first mile of textile circularity, the organised collection of post-consumer textiles and their movement towards repurposing, upcycling and recycling.
The LoI signing took place at the Textile Recovery Facility in Belapur alongside the inauguration of the Mati thrift store, an initiative under Punarsutra – Crafting Circular Change. As part of efforts to promote circularity in post-consumer textiles, the Textiles Committee, in collaboration with Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), SBI Foundation, IDH India and Tisser Artisan Trust, is implementing a project focused on managing post-consumer textiles across the NMMC area. The initiative aims to cover a population of approximately 16 lakh people, create thousands of livelihood opportunities, and enable the conversion of post-consumer textiles into sustainable textiles, contributing to a stronger Circular Textile Economy.
For ReFiber, the collaboration adds momentum to its efforts to strengthen the first mile of textile circularity, the collection of textiles after consumer use. ReFiber launched its technology-led post-consumer textile collection initiative on 5 June 2026, on World Environment Day, with a focus on making the collection of old and discarded clothes more accessible, organised and traceable.
Through scheduled doorstep collection, digital verification and tracking, ReFiber is building greater visibility across the collection process and enabling collected textiles to be directed towards appropriate reuse, upcycling and recycling pathways. ReFiber has also developed and launched its Upcycle Marketplace, enabling recovered textiles to be transformed into upcycled products and creating further opportunities for them to return to productive.
Shri Giriraj Singh, Hon’ble Union Minister for Textiles, said, “The exchange of the Letter of Intent between TRF, Navi Mumbai and ReFiber for the digital collection of used clothes is a commendable initiative and an important step towards strengthening India’s Circular Textile Economy. I appreciate this collaborative effort to bring greater organisation and technology into the collection and recovery of post-consumer textiles.”
Ms. Vrunda Manohar Desai, Textile Commissioner, Maharashtra Government, said, “India’s transition towards a circular textile economy requires stronger systems for the collection and recovery of post-consumer textiles. ReFiber’s technology-led approach is a commendable step towards making textile collection more organised, accessible and traceable. Such collaborations are important in creating a more connected ecosystem where used textiles can be channelled towards reuse, upcycling and recycling, rather than being lost from the circular economy.”
Shri Shrikant Bhangdiya, Chairman, ReFiber, said, “We are grateful to Shri Giriraj Singh ji and extend our special thanks to Ms. Vrunda Manohar Desai ji for encouraging this collaboration and for recognising the importance of organised post-consumer textile collection. At ReFiber, we believe that building a circular textile economy requires us to strengthen the journey of a garment from the point of disposal onwards. This Letter of Intent is an important step in that direction. We look forward to working with the Textile Recovery Facility and our ecosystem partners to make technology-led collection more accessible and take this model to more cities and communities across India.”
The occasion brought together stakeholders from the Ministry of Textiles, Textiles Committee, Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation and the wider textile circularity ecosystem. The event was attended by Dr. Tapan Kumar Rout, Director, Textiles Committee, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, whose presence highlighted the importance of institutional collaboration in strengthening textile recovery systems.
The event also acknowledged the presence of Dr. Kailas Shinde, IAS, Municipal Commissioner, Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), reflecting the important role of municipal bodies in developing effective systems for post-consumer textile collection and recovery. Dr. Megha Phansalkar, Founder, Tisser Artisan Trust, has been a consistent supporter of ReFiber’s efforts to strengthen post-consumer textile collection and build a more connected circular textile ecosystem. Mr. Manoj Wanvari, COO, ReFiber, has also been closely involved in advancing the company’s technology-led collection efforts and strengthening collaborations across the textile circularity ecosystem.
The Mati store at TRF Belapur adds a reuse-focused dimension to Punarsutra, while ReFiber’s technology-led collection model addresses the critical gap that precedes recovery. Together, they strengthen the textile circularity ecosystem by creating responsible avenues for pre-owned clothing and recovered textiles. With the LoI, ReFiber aims to deepen ecosystem collaborations and build a scalable, accountable post-consumer textile collection network across India, enabling more textiles to move towards reuse, upcycling and recycling.