India alone produces more than 7 million tons of textile waste each year. But the city of Panipat is emerging as a solution to this problem. Fast fashion is spun into recycled carpets, cushions, and other textile products. “We can make around 5000 pieces a day”, explains factory owner Sahil Dhamija, whose products supply some of the largest brands around the world. But this output comes at a cost to the workers, as microplastics, cotton fibres and chemical toxins poison the air: “it gets into our eyes, mouth, ears and nose”. While Indian law dictates that factory owners must provide proper ventilation and protective gear, most factories in Panipat flout these regulations, putting workers’ lives at risk in the name of profit. “We have no choice but to do this work”.