The textile sector currently generates more than a hundred million direct jobs in the manufacturing industry in the world, and this is one of the largest sectors. In view of expressive numbers and the importance of the sector for the global economy, it is essential that companies adapt their production process to reduce the environmental impact.
In addition, it is necessary to take into account a new and growing profile of consumers who have been looking for more sustainable consumption alternatives. Now, how should the textile industry act? What strategies should businessmen in the sector adapt to produce more cleanly and sustainably? There are agencies and companies specialized in consultancy to reduce environmental impact. However, we can use simple and inexpensive alternatives that can be taken now. We will address some important topics that can transform the traditional production process into something modern, sustainable, efficient, and with a touch of social inclusion.
As with any companies, simple and inexpensive sustainable measures can and should be used in the textile industry. Strategies to reduce the environmental impact may sound expensive and complex, but that is not the reality. Simple, cheap, and immediate actions can reduce (and greatly) the environmental impact and transform your company's environment into something sustainable. Like for example:
Lighting is a major contributor to electricity consumption and must be taken seriously when we want to reduce the environmental impact. Presence sensors are a great choice for circulation environments, and the lighting is only activated when really necessary. Replacing conventional lamps with LED lamps is also a good choice. They are up to 60% more efficient, consume less, and have a much longer autonomy. In sheds, the option of replacing some conventional tiles with translucent tiles reduces the need for lighting on bright days.
In the textile industry, as in any other, a major problem is waste. To solve it, selective collectors, exchange of disposable cups for mugs, and an awareness of the unnecessary use of printing paper and other textile materials contribute to reducing the environmental impact in the company's daily routine.
The large generation of fabric residues from the cutting phase is one of the biggest challenges for the textile industry with regard to environmental impact. Awareness and better use of materials should be the first option for reducing waste and the generation of waste. But even with all the optimization, the cutting phase will always miss something. No problem! This material can be stored and separated for reuse and we can take them for recycling.
We already have alternatives on the market for flaps from the textile industry. Recycling companies buy this waste, recycle, and return sustainable raw material to the market. Another good alternative is the artisan communities that use scraps for making accessories. In other words, the flap that was previously discarded can now be 100% reused and contribute to reducing the environmental impact of the textile industry.
The textile industry has water as one of its main inputs. An average of 80 liters of water is spent for each 1 kg of fabric. With the trend of continued growth in the sector, the environmental impact increases and becomes more worrying.
The current water scenario is also a concern. A good alternative is to reuse water. For optimal reuse in the textile industry, the water must be practically pure. Reducing PH and eliminating contaminants from water can be complex and expensive. But simple and inexpensive measures can be taken. The use in cooling towers, garden irrigation, toilet flushing, floor cleaning, firefighting systems, and boilers are excellent options for reusing water to reduce the environmental impact within the textile industry.
There are many measures that the textile industry can take in order to protect our mother nature. Being conscious and learning the latest technology that helps us produce garments with less environmental effects can make the textile industry more profitable and sustainable. In short, to reduce the environmental impact, the textile industry has to be smarter. Control on Water usage, electricity consumption, and recycling of material wastage can make things more sustainable, and it is an inevitable responsibility to adapt to a better world.
