Chindi Machine - A Textile Waste Recycling Innovation

Abstract

The Chindi Machine project addresses the escalating problem of textile waste by providing an innovative mechanical solution for recycling cloth scraps, commonly known as “chindi”, into useful products. Globally, the textile industry generates over 100 million tonnes of waste annually, much of which ends up in landfills or incineration, causing environmental harm. In India, traditional practices have long repurposed torn cloth strips into inexpensive mats and rugs, but these methods are labor-intensive and limited in output. This project designs, prototypes, and evaluates multiple variants of a Chindi-processing machine (hand-crank, pedal, bicycle- driven, and motorized models) to automate shredding of fabric waste. The methodology included stakeholder consultation, iterative prototyping, and performance testing with various fabric types. Results demonstrate that the motorized model achieves a throughput of around 10kg/hr, significantly higher than human-powered versions (2–4 kg/hr), while producing uniform chindi strips suitable for weaving.