In typical fabric mills, energy consumption and water consumption normally left a big footprint on environment impact and also energy consumption is a big part of the operation cost - up to 30% in some mills. From consumer side, the expectation to reduce environment impact is obvious and based on survey, if a product with proven evidence on environment impact reduction, consumers would like to pay more to that products. To improve environmental performance on energy efficiency, water efficiency, to manage waste and circularity, and chemicals, factory should implement the below:
- Make it clear on customer’s requirements and expectations on environment performance on energy, carbon, water and wastewater.
- Fabric mills should conduct gap analysis between the status and requirements and develop action plans to manage those.
- Equip working team with proper talent and resources then define role and responsibility. And develop proper strategy, targets and action plans.
- For example, to improve energy efficiency, the following should be implemented:
- Implement foundation programs, including management commitment, measurement, data collection, KPIs management, work team and teamwork, etc., to set up foundation for excellence.
- Foster collaborations of cross-function teams as the environment performance management is a shared responsibility, and the single ESG team cannot make it happen.
- Set up KPIs baseline and target for each environment aspect (such as energy use per unit of product) and develop action plans to support targets.
- Implement actions plans. Examples on actions could be: heat recovery from hot water/exhaust from process with heat pumps, recovering heat from steam waste/air compressor, lowering compressed air pressure where applicable, etc.
- Frequently review progress against targets.
- Share progress and achievements with customers. And review strategy and refine it as needed.
- Join industry summit to learn best practices, such as the annual sustainability summit organized by China Dyeing & Printing Industry Association.
- Implement foundation programs, including management commitment, measurement, data collection, KPIs management, work team and teamwork, etc., to set up foundation for excellence.
- For water efficiency, it is similar approach including implementation of minimum programs to set up foundations, and drive water efficiency via actions including reusing wastewater for rinsing where applicable, recycling wastewater with advanced treatment and RO filtered, improve right first time rate, etc.
Related articles:
What are the Critical Actions Required for Social Compliance?
How to Start ESG Work in Your Factory?
How to Maintain Workplace Safety and Health?
Why Does Factory Need to Ensure Worker's Fundamental Rights at Work?
Why Does Factory Need to Have an Environmental Performance Management System?
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