As India celebrates National Startup Day 2026, one Delhi-based startup is redefining sustainability by transforming fashion waste into opportunity. Meet tooUsed, a circular economy pioneer giving your old clothes a new life — and turning them into social and environmental currency.
Founded in September 2023 by Mayank Singh and Ayush Saxena, tooUsed (officially registered as Letfly Direct Technologies Private Limited) was born from something as simple — and relatable — as a domestic argument over overflowing wardrobes. What began as a household frustration has evolved into a high-growth sustainability venture tackling one of India’s biggest environmental challenges: the 40 lakh tonnes of textile waste generated annually.
The tooUsed Model: “Wear, Share, Earn”
At its core, tooUsed runs on a B2B2C circular model, bridging the gap between consumers, marginalized communities, and corporate enterprises — creating value for all three.
For Consumers (B2C):
Through the tooUsed app, users can schedule a doorstep pickup for old clothes, shoes, and leather goods. A “Give Back Bag” is delivered to their home, which is then collected and processed at the company’s facility. In return, users earn tooUsed Credits directly in their digital wallet.
These credits can be redeemed for cash via UPI or used for discounts on the brand’s integrated online shopping platform, the tooUsed SuperMall, making sustainability both rewarding and convenient.
For Businesses (B2B):
Since April 2025, tooUsed has expanded into the corporate recycling space, turning discarded fabrics into sustainable packaging, eco-friendly office décor, and even corporate gifting products. Brands like Chaayos and BluPine Energy are already leveraging these sustainable solutions — proving that “green” can also mean “growth.”
Deep-Tech Meets Sustainability
Unlike traditional thrift platforms, tooUsed is built on proprietary recycling technology designed to eliminate the waste bottleneck.
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Waterless Extraction: The startup has filed a patent for a revolutionary mechanical recycling process, developed in partnership with a Delhi-based textile lab. This system extracts cotton and polyester fibers without using water or chemicals, a game-changer for India’s textile industry.
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CO₂ Tracker: Every user on the app can now visualize their individual environmental impact in real-time through a live Carbon Tracker Dashboard — turning sustainability into a measurable, gamified experience.
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Circular Packaging: tooUsed’s reusable cartons, made from recycled fabrics, can be reused up to 13 times, reducing packaging-related emissions by over 80%.
These innovations not only address textile waste but also set new standards for climate-conscious technology in India’s fast-evolving sustainability sector.
Impact by the Numbers (FY 2025–26)
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Geographical Reach: Active across 18,000+ pin codes in India.
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Revenue Growth: From ₹31 lakh in FY24 to ₹2.8 crore in FY25, projected to reach ₹4.5 crore by FY26.
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Environmental Impact: Processed over 1,00,000 clothing items, preventing approximately 10 million metric tons of CO₂ emissions.
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Social Impact: Partnered with the Waghri community, traditional second-hand traders, boosting their average family income by 25% through employment and fair-value exchange systems.
The Future of Fashion Waste Is Circular
With its innovative blend of tech, sustainability, and social inclusion, tooUsed is proving that “waste” can, in fact, be an asset. The company’s vision goes beyond recycling — it’s about changing consumer behavior, making every wardrobe part of a larger sustainability movement.
“Our mission is to make giving back a part of everyday life,” says Mayank Singh, co-founder and CEO of tooUsed. “We’re not just recycling clothes; we’re rethinking consumption. Every Give Back Bag represents a step towards a cleaner, fairer, and more circular world.”
As India celebrates National Startup Day, tooUsed stands as a shining example of how innovation, empathy, and entrepreneurship can come together to solve one of the world’s most pressing problems — one old T-shirt at a time.
Because at tooUsed, what you give away doesn’t go to waste — it comes full circle.
Ruchi Kumar is the associate editor at Entrepreneur News Network and TVW News India, where he leads editorial strategy, brand storytelling, and startup ecosystem coverage. With a strong focus on innovation, business, and marketing insights, he curates impactful narratives that spotlight India’s evolving entrepreneurial landscape.