The process is remarkably simple. You find a NoKasa smart bin in your residential society, workspace or community area, and deposit your used clothes. On the screen of the bin or via the NoKasa app you indicate whether you want to donate or sell, and the system rewards you with cashback straight into your account. The clothes are then collected, sorted, and either resold, repurposed or recycled depending on their condition.
NoKasa not only helps individuals make money from their unwanted clothing, but also supports sustainability in a tangible way. By reusing and recycling these garments the startup helps save resources that would otherwise go into making new clothes. According to NoKasa, a large part of India’s textile waste ends up in landfills every year, contributing significantly to environmental strain.
This circular model is part of a broader movement in Bengaluru where several initiatives are working to handle textile waste responsibly. For example, ventures supported by Saamuhika Shakti are designing systems to bring in discarded textiles from households and institutional waste streams, creating reuse and recycling pathways so that fewer clothes go to waste. Another such innovation is The Good Felt, a startup in Bengaluru that converts low-value fabric into felt sheets that find use in construction, fashion or art, thereby giving textiles a second or even third life.
The beauty of NoKasa lies in its simplicity and reach. Its bins are designed for easy access by housing societies, offices or even malls, which means participating in the circular fashion economy does not require a big effort from individuals. By offering an immediate financial incentive, the startup has managed to make recycling not just socially responsible, but personally rewarding.
For people in Bengaluru who may be clearing out their wardrobes, NoKasa provides a practical route to clean up while being kind to the planet. Instead of letting clothes rot in a corner or dump them in the trash, you can hand them over, make some money, and help reduce environmental pollution.
This model challenges the old habit of discarding clothes carelessly. It encourages responsible consumption and promotes the idea that used garments are not waste but a resource — something that can be reused or recycled rather than simply thrown away.
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