Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launches Arpan program to recycle old clothes

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta inaugurated the Arpan initiative at the Punjabi Bagh West Metro station. The program encourages residents to donate usable clothing for reuse, recycling or up‑cycling, aiming to curb the growing textile waste that forms a large part of the city’s solid waste.

Arpan will initially operate at the launch site and expand to ten additional Delhi Metro stations, leveraging high commuter traffic to increase participation. The scheme also seeks to create employment for women through sorting, repairing and reprocessing donated garments, with self‑help groups and community organisations involved in the circular‑economy model. The initiative is part of Delhi’s broader effort to improve waste management, protect the environment and promote sustainable urban development.