Arpan Vastra Daan Kendra Delhi: Metro Station Donation Guide

Every home has old clothes that are no longer used. Some are still wearable, while others are too damaged to wear again. Most of these eventually end up in the garbage.

The Delhi Government's Arpan Vastra Daan Kendra is designed for both. Wearable clothes are sorted for reuse or upcycling, while damaged and unusable textiles are recycled into yarn, fabric and other raw materials instead of being sent to landfills. The initiative supports both environmental sustainability and livelihood generation through women-led Self Help Groups.

The government's message is simple: "Ab purane aur anupyogi kapdon ko phenkiye nahi, ARPAN kijiye." In other words, do not throw away your old or unusable clothes—donate them instead.

The project was formally launched after an MoU was signed between the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), DMRC Ladies Welfare Organisation (DLWO), Delhi State Urban Livelihood Mission (SULM), Clothes Box Foundation and Respun. The first phase covers 10 major Delhi Metro stations. Five Arpan Kendras became operational on 3 August 2026, with the remaining centres being opened shortly afterwards.

This guide explains where the Arpan Kendras are located, how the QR code-based donation process works, what kinds of clothes you can donate, and what happens to them after collection.

Quick Facts

Arpan Vastra Daan Kendra Locations

The first phase of the initiative has started with five Arpan Vastra Daan Kendras at selected Delhi Metro stations. These locations were chosen because they receive a high daily footfall, making it easier for commuters to donate clothes during their regular journeys.

More centres are on the way. The Delhi Government has planned to establish Arpan Vastra Daan Kendras at 10 major Delhi Metro stations in the first phase. The remaining locations are expected to be announced by the implementing agencies as the project expands.

What Clothes Can You Donate?

Unlike many donation drives that only accept wearable clothes, the Arpan initiative also accepts old and unusable textiles for recycling. The objective is to ensure that fewer clothes end up in landfills.

The collected clothes are broadly processed in three different ways depending on their condition.

This means you do not have to discard old clothes simply because they are no longer wearable. Even damaged garments may still be useful as raw material for recycling or upcycling.

Before You Donate

A few simple steps can help make the donation process easier for both the volunteers and the recycling partners.

• Wash the clothes before donating them.
• Separate wearable and damaged clothes, if possible, to speed up sorting.
• Empty all pockets and remove valuables such as cash, jewellery, identity cards and keys.
• Pack the clothes in a bag that is easy to carry and hand over at the collection centre.
• If donating in large quantities, consider informing the Arpan Kendra staff in advance for smoother handling.

These small precautions help the Self Help Group members managing the centres sort, process and channel the donated clothes more efficiently.

How to Donate Clothes at an Arpan Vastra Daan Kendra

The donation process is simple and designed so that anyone can complete it within a few minutes. Every Arpan Vastra Daan Kendra uses a QR code-based digital system, which records each donation and generates an acknowledgement immediately.

1. Visit an Arpan Vastra Daan Kendra at any of the operational Delhi Metro stations during its working hours (generally 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM).
2. Bring your clothes to the collection counter. You may donate wearable clothes as well as old, damaged or unusable textiles meant for recycling.
3. Scan the QR code displayed at the donation kiosk using your mobile phone.
4. Fill in the required details on the online form. Depending on the system, you may be asked to enter basic information such as your name, mobile number and details of the clothes being donated.
5. Hand over your donation to the staff managing the Arpan Kendra. The clothes are checked, sorted and accepted for reuse, upcycling or recycling, depending on their condition.
6. Receive your digital acknowledgement. Once the donation is recorded, you receive a digital confirmation. The platform also allows donors to share their contribution on social media if they wish.

No registration fee or donation charge is payable. The entire process is free of cost.

Why Does the Centre Use a QR Code?

The QR code is more than just a convenient way to submit your details. It also helps the implementing agencies manage donations efficiently across all Arpan Kendras.

• Every donation is digitally recorded, creating a proper record instead of manual entries.
• The collection centre is automatically identified, helping administrators understand how much material is being received at each Metro station.
• A central monitoring dashboard allows authorised officials to monitor collections and plan transportation, sorting and recycling activities.
• Donors receive a digital acknowledgement, confirming that their contribution has been successfully recorded.

This digital system improves transparency and helps track the movement of donated textiles from collection to reuse, upcycling or recycling.

Who Operates the Arpan Vastra Daan Kendras?

The Arpan Kendras are managed by women associated with Self Help Groups (SHGs) under the Delhi State Urban Livelihood Mission (SULM). The initiative is designed not only to collect used clothes but also to generate livelihood opportunities for urban women.

After clothes are received at the collection centre, SHG members help in the initial sorting process. Depending on their condition, the clothes are sent for reuse, upcycling or textile recycling through the project's implementation partners.

The initiative therefore serves two objectives at the same time:

• Reducing textile waste by diverting usable and unusable clothes away from landfills.
• Creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for women through collection, sorting and value-addition activities.

A small step from every donor can make a meaningful difference. Donating clean and properly packed clothes makes the sorting process easier for the women managing the centres and helps the material move more quickly for reuse or recycling.

What Happens After You Donate the Clothes?

Once your clothes are accepted at an Arpan Vastra Daan Kendra, they do not remain at the Metro station. The collected material moves through a structured process involving the project's implementation partners.

1. Collection and preliminary sorting are carried out at the Arpan Kendra by women associated with Self Help Groups (SHGs).
2. Wearable clothes are separated from damaged or unusable textiles.
3. Suitable garments are channelled for reuse through the project's partner organisations.
4. Damaged textiles are sent to recycling and upcycling partners, including Clothes Box Foundation and Respun, for further processing.
5. Recovered textile material is used to manufacture recycled fibres, yarn, fabric and other value-added products, depending on the condition of the donated material.

The objective is simple: keep textiles in use for as long as possible and minimise the amount of clothing that ends up in landfills.

Why Has the Delhi Government Started This Initiative?

Textile waste is one of the fastest-growing categories of municipal waste. While many people are willing to donate old clothes, there has traditionally been no organised collection system for damaged or unusable garments.

The Arpan Vastra Daan Kendra initiative addresses this gap by creating easily accessible collection points at Delhi Metro stations, allowing commuters to donate clothes during their routine travel instead of making a separate trip.

During the launch of the initiative, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that a developed city is built not only through infrastructure such as roads and Metro lines, but also through responsible use of resources, environmental conservation and active public participation.

Objectives of the Initiative

• Reduce textile waste by diverting old clothes away from landfill sites.
• Promote reuse, upcycling and recycling so that usable materials remain in circulation for a longer period.
• Create livelihood opportunities for women associated with Self Help Groups through collection and sorting activities.
• Encourage responsible disposal habits by providing convenient collection centres at Metro stations.

Checklist Before Visiting an Arpan Vastra Daan Kendra

Before leaving for the donation centre, keep these simple points in mind.

• Wash the clothes before donating them.
• Check every pocket for money, keys, identity cards or other personal belongings.
• You may bring both wearable and damaged clothes, as both categories are accepted.
• If possible, pack wearable and damaged clothes separately to make sorting easier.
• Carry a mobile phone to scan the QR code and complete the digital donation process.
• Visit during working hours, generally between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM.
• If travelling with a large quantity of clothes, consider confirming that the collection centre is operational before your visit.
• Keep the digital acknowledgement received after your donation for your records.

Future Expansion Plan

The five operational Arpan Vastra Daan Kendras mark the first phase of the initiative. The Delhi Government has announced plans to expand the network to 10 major Delhi Metro stations before considering wider expansion across the city.

The digital monitoring system used by the project helps authorities analyse collection volumes at each Metro station. This information can be used to improve operations and identify suitable locations for future Arpan Kendras.

The initiative also forms part of the Delhi Government's broader efforts to promote sustainable waste management and encourage the reuse and recycling of different categories of municipal waste through organised collection systems.