Textile Dyeing Pollution & Solution III - Sustainability!

Water-saving and environmental protection in the garment industry are the precise meaning of: SUSTAINABILITY!

FashionUnited[1]

Figures published by the European Environment Agency state that for every person in the EU, textile consumption requires 9 cubic meters of water, 400 square meters of land, and 391kg of raw materials, and causes a carbon footprint of about 270 kg.

The EU is also calling for innovation in the sector, with producers taking responsibility for their products along the value chain with sufficient capacities for recycling and minimal incineration and landfilling.

Garments will be labelled so that clearer information on textiles and a digital product passport will inform consumers of each facet of the garments they purchase. It further empowers people to tackle greenwashing by ensuring the accuracy of companies’ green claims.

Ultimately the goal is to stop overproduction and overconsumption, and discourage the destruction of unsold or returned textiles.

EURONEWS[2]

We will have to wait until more details emerge in 2023, but the centerpiece of its plans is an EU-wide Extended Producer Responsibility scheme. This will make fashion brands pay a waste fee for every item they sell.

The less ecological the item, the higher the fee.

PUNCHLINE[3]

Neill Ricketts, chief executive of Versarien, said:

"We have been aware for a while that there is a need for textiles to be more friendly to the environment, the use of valuable resources needed in the current methods of production are simply not sustainable."

EURONEWS[4]

However, there is one source of environmental damage from textiles that is too often overlooked - the traditional dyeing process. Most of our clothes are still coloured using industrial dye and chemical baths, which have barely changed in centuries.

SOLUTION[5]

Since many years I am trying to apply my idea “Digital dyeing” that will save up to 70% water consumption in the dyeing process (Disperse for Polyester, Reactive for all cellulosic, Silk and Polyamide – wide application range)  against conventional process, and now the demand for innovation is higher and the call for environmental protection is  a must.[6]

Making manufacturing more sustainable[7]

My company, Alchemie Technology, based in Cambridge, is one of the clean tech firms determined to make a difference and introduce more sustainable manufacturing processes to the fashion industry.

Our digital dyeing EndeavourTM machine, which produces no wastewater and reduces energy consumption by 85 per cent compared to traditional dyeing, is now in production.

Despite the very few data released on the process and the application – Technical Data Sheet shows only the comparison between traditional and digital for Disperse Dyeing on Polyester only - but I have to highlight and we all have to support such a great effort and innovation.

Reminder

 “2.1 BILLION PEOPLE GLOBALLY DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO CLEAN, SAFE DRINKING WATER.

3.4 MILLION PEOPLE DIE EACH YEAR FROM SCARCE AND CONTAMINATED WATER”[8]

 

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[1] https://fashionunited.uk/news/fashion/europe-to-crackdown-on-fast-fashion/2022033162347

[2] https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/03/31/fast-fashion-will-be-held-accountable-for-clothing-quality-toxic-chemicals-and-waste-says-

[3] https://www.punchline-gloucester.com/articles/aanews/fast-fashion-crackdown-good-news-for-alternatives

[4] https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/02/26/dyeing-for-fashion-why-the-fashion-industry-is-causing-20-of-water-pollution

[5] https://nagyroshdy.blogspot.com/2022/01/textile-dyeing-pollution-solution-i.html

[6] https://nagyroshdy.blogspot.com

[7] https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/02/26/dyeing-for-fashion-why-the-fashion-industry-is-causing-20-of-water-pollution

[8] https://wholives.org/our-mission/mission/

Textile Dyeing Pollution & Solution II

 

 “2.1 BILLION PEOPLE GLOBALLY DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO CLEAN, SAFE DRINKING WATER.

3.4 MILLION PEOPLE DIE EACH YEAR FROM SCARCE AND CONTAMINATED WATER”[1]

The textile dyeing mills discharge about 6 billion cubic meters [2] of water, every year, full of hazardous chemicals and dyes, which results in the death of aquatic life, the damaging of soils and drinking water toxicity. In addition to the dyes negative impact on the absorption and reflection of sunlight going through the water. SOLUTION  DIGITAL DYEING TECHNOLOGY Competitive Advantage Strengths Digital Printing Technology Latest innovation for the production of bright and unique images in a short time limit. Digital Dyeing Technology -          Digitizing dyeing to save about 50% of colorants and chemicals consumption, consequently water consumption is 70% less, for environmental protection and human safety. -          Applied on: Cotton, Polyester, PES/Lycra, Silk and plan for PES/CO blends. Electricity Energy Clean energy - Reduces Carbon Footprint. - Reduces global warming (on the large production scale) Sewing facility Variety of garment designs Wastewater treatment facility Targeting Zero water consumption and Zero Discharge Hazardous Chemicals Mixing experienced (38 years in textile business) with fresh graduates To get the maximum benefit for our customers, create innovative atmosphere & revenue increase Talented designing team Creative designs to satisfy customer’s requirements Top quality Inks and chemicals To match the goal for environmental and human protection Online Shopping Ease for customers Sustainable up-to-date technology Ease for project duplication and expand Time control Minimal time from fabric to garment production International approach No geographical limit Qualified management team Revenue increase ADVANTAGES 1.       Electricity clean energy (No CO2 emission). 2.       70% less water consumption. 3.       Less polluted water, easy to recycle. 4.       Easy to install anywhere, 5000 sq.m. area required. 5.       Job opportunities for at least 75 persons. 6.       Demand for environmentally friendly garments. 7.       ROI about 2 years. 8.       Easy to upgrade. 9.       On demand and up-to-date designs. 10.   Online shopping.

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[1] https://wholives.org/our-mission/mission/

[2] https://www.theconsciouschallenge.org/ecologicalfootprintbibleoverview/water-clothing

Textile Dyeing Pollution & Solution I

These are not funny photos! It is a sad and terrifying reality!

Dye-making units in Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation’s, Vatva patch area have transformed a man to Orange color, a dog to Blue color and a Squirrel to Blue color!^[1]

The Krishna river stretch in Telangana in India is polluted by 15 million liters per day from 5 municipalities along it.[2]

5.9 trillion liters – The amount of water used each year for fabric dyeing alone. (World Resources Institute).[3]

WASTEWATER TREATMENT ISN’T ENOUGH!

WHY?

1.       The dyeing mills wastewater treatment is difficult and costly as quantities are enormous and almost impossible to do indoors. Big dyeing mills pour their effluent either into rivers or into collective pools with wastewater from other sources (municipal waste) and pollute them with industrial textile dyeing toxic waste. Municipal waste should be treated alone.

2.       To be effective, this needs a lot of space for coagulation – it is the best way for wastewater treatment, in my opinion, for the following reasons:

a.       Dye molecule chemical composition is very complicated and not easy to break down (Degrade) into simple compounds.

b.       Generally, some chemical processes are applied to degrade the dye molecules and other chemicals to remove the color, then filtration or other means. The resulting compounds from the dye molecule degrading - parts of it - can pass through filters and cause problems unless using a variety of filter types - very expensive!

c.       We should keep the dye molecule in its bulky form to avoid side, unknown and invisible products formation resulting from degradation.

 

3.        Lack of reliability is a big challenge. It is too hard to track and check every single dye house for the use of non-toxic dyes and chemicals.

4.      The most important fact is that wastewater treatment processes are not enough to compensate for the consumed and polluted water.

SOLUTION

A.      Stop dealing with big polluting factories.

B.      Start encouraging small-sized mills to start up units with wastewater treatment plants. The smaller the quantity of wastewater, the easier it is to be treated and controlled.

C.      A small production unit with a digital dyeing technique will save up to 70% of water consumption and minimize polluted water quantity to easily clean, can be installed anywhere, and circulate the water quantity so as to reach zero water consumption.

D.      Here magnifying (Coagulation) is ideal as quantity of water is much less, consequently no problem for sludge collection.

HOW TO INSTALL A 70% LESS WATER CONSUMPTION DYEING MILL?

WITH

PLAN TO ZERO CONSUMPTION

FOLLOW THE NEXT BLOGS

 

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[1] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/un-holi-sight-humans-animals-dye-unnaturally-in-gujarat-industrial-development-corporations-vatva-estate/articleshow/85505784.cms

[2]http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/87769702.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

[3] https://www.theconsciouschallenge.org/ecologicalfootprintbibleoverview/water-clothing

Coral Reefs - WATER POLLUTION III

Coral reefs are one of the many species that form an eco-niche in our environment. The echo-niche is the unit of the eco-system and life cycle. The disappearance of a living organism from this cycle destroys that echo-niche, consequently the ecological system in that area.         Coral reefs play a crucial role in the stability of Marine life and consequently the whole life cycle, and participate in the fixation of Carbon and Nitrogen in their environment that provides nutrients for the marine food chain.         Coral reefs are soft-bodied animals that live in the shadow waters for their need of sunlight. These soft bodies build layers of Calcium Carbonate surrounding them in stunning beautiful shapes over time. This continuous process takes thousands of years and forms a typical environment for many marine organisms to live and reproduce. This process protects shores from erosion.  Coral reefs cover a small percentage of the marine area, yet they are of great economic value for their role in attracting marine tourism.         According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: “Coral reefs are sometimes considered the medicine cabinets of the 21st, century. Coral reef plants and animals are important sources of new medicines being developed to treat cancer, arthritis, human bacterial infections, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, viruses, and other diseases.” WE NEED THESE CREATURES FOR OUR LIFE TO CONTINUE  STOP WATER POLLUTION ----------------------------------------------------------- [1] Author: NOAA Last updated: 02/26/21 https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/coral_medicine.html

WATER CRISIS - WATER POLLUTION II

The water crisis is a horrifying fact. What are the actions taken to fight this disaster? I would say very little! Why? Because we are on the wrong track! Yes, instead of stopping water wasting we are running after water treatment - it is right - but not enough and won't solve the problem. It is like you got infected with a microbe, you got a fever, a physician - smart one - should act on two processes: get rid of fever and kill the microbe - the source! As much as a microbe is in your body, you will get a fever. That should be the way to deal with the water crisis: Stop wasting water and at the same time clean the polluted water.

 “2.1 BILLION PEOPLE GLOBALLY DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO CLEAN, SAFE DRINKING WATER.

3.4 MILLION PEOPLE DIE EACH YEAR FROM SCARCE AND CONTAMINATED WATER”[1]

The population is increasing, and water sources and amounts on our planet are fixed quantities - this is a fact - you can revise figures from the internet or my previous blogs[2]. Everyone should participate either with solutions - for experts - or with engaging as a human being for your coming generations' security regarding water scarcity. I shall keep posting and reminding with the studies and figures regarding this matter.

IS THERE ANY WAY TO SAVE THOSE PEOPLE?

YES

I have more than 37 years of experience in textile wet-processing – Dyeing and printing – from my side, I created a process of dyeing – Proven in bulk production – saving up to 70% of water consumption. With a simple calculation, we will discover that it is possible.

Follow me.

How many cubic meters of water we need for 2.1 billion people? Let’s calculate:

2.7 Cubic meters are enough drinking water for one person for 900 days (Almost 2.5 years)[3].

2.7 /2.5 = 1.08 water cubic meters per year

2.7 x 2,100,000,000 = 5,670,000,000 billion water cubic meters of water enough drinking for 2.5 years for 2.1 billion people.

Hence, 5,670,000,000 / 2.5 = 2,268,000,000 water cubic meters per year.

2.2 BILLION WATER CUBIC METERS

Required every year to drink

2.1 BILLION PEOPLE

From where we can get these huge quantities!?

Don’t worry, just follow me.

5 billion (5,000,000,000) cubic meters (5 trillion liters) of water used each year for fabric dyeing alone! (World Resources Institute).[4]

5,000,000,000 x 70% (Saving) = 3,500,000,000 (3.5 billion) cubic meters of water SAVED!

3,500,000,000 / 1.08 (Enough drinking water for 1 person for 1 year) = 3,240,740,740 billion persons will have drinking water for 1 year.

ONLY FROM FABRIC DYEING

WE CAN SAVE

3.24

BILLION LIVES

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[1] https://wholives.org/our-mission/mission/

[2] https://nagyroshdy.blogspot.com/2021/12/americans-struggle-to-pay-their-water.html

And www.nagyroshdy.blogspot.com

 

[3] National Geographic. How Your T-Shirt Can Make a Difference. https://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/00000144-0a29-d3cb-a96c-7b2dea6c0000

[4] https://www.wri.org/insights/apparel-industrys-environmental-impact-6-graphics