Government e Marketplace (GeM) under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry and the Textiles Committee under the Ministry of Textiles have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote recycled and upcycled products made from pre- and post-consumer textile waste, scrap, and second-hand clothes through public procurement. The MoU was signed during the 62nd Foundation Day celebrations of the Textiles Committee in Mumbai on September 3, 2026.
The collaboration aims to create a 'Waste-to-Value-to-Market' ecosystem that transforms textile waste into quality value-added products available to government buyers through GeM. The Textiles Committee will identify, verify, certify, and recognize eligible producers of recycled and upcycled textile products, while also supporting stakeholder consultations, capacity building, market research, and development of technical specifications.
GeM will create dedicated categories for recycled and upcycled textile products, facilitate seller onboarding and online market linkages, and promote these products among government buyers. The partnership will follow a hub-and-spoke approach with the Textiles Committee and its affiliate offices facilitating last-mile outreach, mobilization, and capacity building of upcyclers and recyclers.
The initiative specifically focuses on women, MSMEs, local enterprises, artisans, recyclers, and other circular-economy enterprises to build an inclusive, decentralized, and sustainable production ecosystem. This aligns with national priorities of Vocal for Local, Make in India, and AatmaNirbhar Bharat. Training and handholding support will enable last-mile upcyclers and recyclers to participate effectively in public procurement.
The event was attended by Union Minister of Textiles Shri Giriraj Singh and Minister of Textiles, Government of Maharashtra, Shri Sanjay Savkare. The MoU was signed by Additional CEO of GeM, Shri Ajit B. Chavan, and Secretary of Textiles Committee, Shri Kartikay Dhanda, in the presence of senior officials and industry stakeholders.
According to CEO of GeM, Shri Mihir Kumar, the partnership seeks to create reliable demand for products made from textile waste by connecting certification, standardization, and market access. Government procurement with its scale and reach can accelerate adoption of such products across offices, institutions, gifting, and other public-use requirements. The initiative is expected to contribute to resource conservation, sustainable livelihoods, and responsible consumption and production while strengthening India's transition toward a circular and resource-efficient textile economy.