Bengaluru based sustainability startup NoKasa is tackling one of India most overlooked environmental challenges textile waste. Founded by engineers Prasad Lingawar and Nachiket, the company has developed a structured doorstep collection and reuse system that has already prevented more than 23 tonnes of discarded clothing from ending up in landfills.
Textile waste remains a largely invisible problem in urban India. While households frequently donate, store or discard unwanted clothes there is often little transparency about what happens to garments once they leave homes. Recognising this gap, the two founders set out to create a system that makes clothing disposal traceable, convenient, and environmentally responsible.
The idea evolved after months of field research across Bengaluru’s waste management ecosystem. Initially exploring broader waste collection solutions, the founders discovered that textile waste repeatedly emerged as a major concern among residents. During a pilot scrap collection drive in early 2025, nearly half of all disposal requests involved clothing, prompting the startup to focus entirely on textile waste management.
NoKasa first experimented with smart collection bins installed in residential societies. The bins automatically weighed deposited garments and rewarded users through instant UPI cashback. While the model generated strong engagement, operational challenges led the company to shift towards a doorstep pickup system.
Under the current model, users schedule pickups through the NoKasa app by registering at least 25 garments. Trained field agents visit homes, sort clothing into wearable and non wearable categories, weigh them transparently, and transfer cashback instantly via UPI. Customers receive ₹10 per kilogram for wearable clothing, while non-wearable garments are collected for responsible recycling.
Once collected garments are transported to a Bengaluru warehouse where they undergo further sorting. Clothes in good condition are directed towards resale and reuse networks while damaged garments are channelled to recycling and upcycling partners. According to the founders reuse remains the priority with recycling considered only when garments can no longer be worn.
Since its launch NoKasa has served over 2,500 users and currently handles nearly 1,000 pickups every month. The company estimates that around 60 to 70 percent of collected clothing is reused, while the remaining material is recycled or upcycled through partner organisations.
The startup closed the last financial year with revenue of ₹7.25 lakh and currently operates with a lean team of around 10 members handling operations, technology, customer support and logistics.
Users say the platform has changed the way they think about clothing disposal. Many residents who previously donated clothes without knowing their final destination now appreciate having a transparent system that ensures garments are either reused or responsibly recycled.
Looking ahead, NoKasa plans to strengthen its Bengaluru operations before expanding to other cities. The company is also working on establishing a refurbishment centre where collected garments can be cleaned, repaired and prepared for resale, further extending their lifespan and reducing textile waste.
As India grapples with rising consumption and growing environmental concerns, NoKasa’s model highlights how circular economy solutions can transform everyday habits and reduce the burden of waste on landfills while creating a more sustainable future for clothing consumption.