PM Modi on Textile Waste in Mann Ki Baat — How Surat Lace Manufacturers Are Going Sustainable
PM Modi on Textile Waste in Mann Ki Baat — How Surat Lace Manufacturers Are Going Sustainable
In his Mann Ki Baat address on June 8, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted a pressing issue for India's textile sector: the global textile waste crisis. With India generating an estimated 7.8 million tonnes of textile waste annually — the third highest globally — the PM's message resonated deeply across manufacturing hubs like Surat.
The Scale of the Problem
The fashion and textile industry is the world's second-largest polluter after oil. India alone discards enormous quantities of fabric offcuts, thread waste, and unsold inventory every year. For lace manufacturers, the waste stream includes:
- Thread trimmings from loom setup and pattern changes
- Selvage cuts from width standardisation
- Rejected pieces with pattern or dye imperfections
- End-of-roll remnants too short for commercial sale
Surat's Response
Surat's textile ecosystem is responding. On June 5 (World Environment Day), CMAI and UNIDO launched a mega upcycling initiative for used clothes. The Indian Textile Commissioner, Vrunda Desai, separately unveiled the ReFiber and OterRi initiative on June 9 to transform textile waste into economic opportunity — a program that directly affects Surat's manufacturing community.
At Paras Lace, we've implemented practical waste reduction measures at our Surat manufacturing facility:
- Thread recovery: Loom trimmings are collected and sorted by material type. Cotton thread waste is repurposed for stuffing and industrial cleaning cloths. Metallic jari waste is sent for metal recovery.
- Remnant optimisation: Short end-of-roll pieces (under 5 meters) are sold at discounted rates to hobbyists, craft stores, and small-scale artisans rather than being discarded.
- Water efficiency: Our dyeing processes use low-liquor-ratio techniques that reduce water consumption by up to 30% compared to conventional methods.
What Buyers Can Do
Sustainability isn't just a manufacturer's responsibility. Lace buyers — from fashion designers to boutique owners — can contribute by:
- Ordering precise quantities to minimise deadstock
- Choosing natural fibre laces (cotton, crochet) over pure synthetics when feasible
- Working with Surat manufacturers who demonstrate verifiable waste-reduction practices
- Asking about dye fixation processes to ensure long-lasting products that don't end up as early discards
The Economic Opportunity
The PM's message wasn't just about the problem — it was about the opportunity. India's textile waste represents a potential $9 billion circular economy opportunity according to industry analysis. For Surat, the city that already dominates Indian lace manufacturing, leading on sustainability means staying competitive in export markets where environmental compliance is increasingly mandatory.
At Paras Lace, we believe quality lace and responsible manufacturing go hand in hand. Since 1990, our commitment has been to produce premium jari lace, crochet lace, cotton lace, and polyester lace while continuously improving our environmental footprint.
Looking for quality lace from a manufacturer that cares about sustainability? Call Paras Lace at +91 87502 69626. Based in Surat, Gujarat — shipping pan-India and globally.
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About the author
Paras Jain writes from the ParasLace workshop floor in Surat's Textile Market. The family-run mill has manufactured jari, crochet, and decorative lace since 1990, supplying garment houses across India and six export markets. More about ParasLace →