The Environmental Cost of India’s Textile Industry — and Smarter Alternatives

A Quiet Crisis in a Vibrant Industry
India's textile industry is one of the largest in the world—a powerhouse of cotton fabric, vibrant prints, artisanal weaving, and centuries-old craftsmanship. But behind the beauty lies an uncomfortable truth: the environmental cost of the fabric we wear, use, and discard is growing heavier by the year.

This isn't just about fast fashion. It's about how our fabric stores operate, how printing methods impact water systems, and how conscious choices at the fabric shop can alter the industry’s trajectory.

The Hidden Cost Behind Every Metre
Traditional screen printing requires excessive setup: One screen per colour, Chemical-based treatments, Washing, prepping, re-coating.
"We use nearly 300L just to clean a screen batch. Multiply that across 10–20 colours, and the number becomes impossible to ignore.— says Nitin Shah, Plant Manager, Surat Printworks.

Runoff from these setups often includes emulsifiers, thickeners, and pigment residues, which, if untreated, leach into nearby water bodies or agricultural zones.

Why Digital Printing Isn’t Just Tech
Digital printing skips screens entirely. It prints directly onto fabric using inkjet tech:
Up to 95% less water used (Textile Exchange, 2021), no screen = no wash-off chemical waste, fewer fixers needed, works for short runs and custom drops.
"Digital lets us say yes to smaller orders. That means we print what people want, not what the system demands. — Priya Thakkar, Co-founder, Indigo Root Fabrics, Ahmedabad

What Makes a Fabric "Better"?
Not all cotton fabric is equal. The key lies in: Digitally printed surplus fabric from export houses, organic or rain-fed cotton where possible, cotton-linen blends with lower processing impact "We need to shift how we define premium. It’s not just thread count. It's the environmental count. — Anchal Kumar, Sustainability Researcher, Centre for Circular Fashion

How Everyday Choices Shape the Industry
You don’t need to be an expert to reduce impact.
Try: Asking where the cloth comes from, choosing digital over screen-printed, opting for surplus over newly milled, designing to rewear, not discard

A Better Industry Starts With Better Questions
This shift isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress. Whether you run a fabric shop, browse cotton fabric online, or visit your local fabric store every season, the power to change the textile industry sits in your hands.

"We’re not anti-print. We’re pro-intention." — The Fabric Cut Co.