Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals

Brands and manufacturers across the apparel value chain face increasing challenges to cleaner production in wet processing. Although many suppliers and wet processing units are beginning to understand the business case for engaging in more sustainable practices, they still may have limited technical knowledge, capacities or capital to improve their operations towards Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals. Local expertise is required to support the factories to progress.

A capacity building program was developed for wet process facilities w to enable them to fundamentally change their chemical management systems and conversion to less hazardous alternatives. The German brands worked together with the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) (German Council for International Cooperation) within the scope of the develoPPP.de program of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

Sustainable Textile Solutions took the role as Master Trainer to build local knowledge through a Train-the-Trainer approach. Training materials for local trainers and factories were developed in Chinese and Bengali.

These local trainers then instructed relevant employees in the factories. A successful pilot program was completed in Bangladesh and China in 2018. Data proofed that the training resulted in improved chemical management in the facilities and several phase-out projects of hazardous chemicals. The program was rolled out to further factories in 2019.