Minimising our environmental footprint
Water
We treat water as the invaluable resource it is. Across our entire supply chain, we aim to minimise the amount of water used and reduce its contamination. Just like for all agricultural production, water is a critical input for the successful cultivation of organic cotton. However, unlike conventional farming, organic farming does not involve harmful chemicals, so any runoff water is free from contamination. Water is also used for dyeing and washing textiles. These processes inevitably generate water-based toxic waste, known as effluent. All our partner factories
have on-site Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs), in line with legal requirements, and have in-house specialists and testing facilities. This ensures that wastewater can be treated and then released back into nature without harming the environment. At some of our partner factories, the treated wastewater is also used for car washing and gardening. The remaining solid waste is typically preserved for a minimum of six months until it solidifies fully. It is then sent to contracted brick fields where it is used as fuel or to cement manufacturing companies where it is used as a raw material for making cement.
Effluent Treatment Plant process
The treatment process for clearing water in the factories begins in the equalisation tank, which regulates the inflow of wastewater. Next, in the aeration and clarifier tanks, microorganisms break down the organic pollutants. Solid waste is then collected and moved to the sludge holding tank. The tertiary filter removes any remaining fine particles and suspended solids from the water using various filtration methods. At the end of this process, the treated wastewater is ready to be discharged.
Wastewater inlet
Backwash return
Equalisation tank
Aeration tank
Clarifier tank
Tertiary filter
Returned activated sludge
Sludge holding tank
Returned waste sludge
Treated water outlet
Sludge to disposal
Different stages of water treatment at one of our partner factories in Bangladesh.
48
49
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker