In today’s world where sustainability is hailed as a key to success, businesses, governments, and even individuals are taking measures to reduce their environmental footprint. The textile industry, in particular, has been in the spotlight for its high consumption of water and its contribution to water pollution. In fact, it is estimated that to produce a single pair of jeans, approximately 10,000 liters of water are required, which is equivalent to the amount of water consumed by an average person in a decade[^1^]. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the textile industry to adopt strategies to reduce its water footprint.
Understanding the Water Footprint in the Textile Industry
The water footprint concept was introduced as a measure to quantify the amount of water used to produce each of the goods and services we use. It can be calculated for a single process, such as the growing of cotton, for a product, such as a pair of jeans, or for an entire multi-national company. The textile industry has a high water footprint due to the water-intensive nature of its process which includes the growing of crops for natural fibers, dyeing, printing, and finishing of fabrics[^2^].
Apart from the volume, the timing and geographic location of water use are also relevant. This is because water use in water-scarce or drought-prone regions has a much larger environmental impact than in water-rich regions.
Strategies to Reduce Water Footprint
There are a multitude of strategies that have been proposed and even implemented to reduce water footprint in the textile industry. These range from improving technologies to enhancing practices, collaboration, and innovation in the industry.
- Improvement of Technology: Advancements in technology have played a key role in reducing the water footprint in the textile industry. For instance, replacing traditional wet dyeing techniques with innovative digital printing technology or foam dyeing results in a significant reduction in water usage.
- Better Farming Practices: Since a significant proportion of the water footprint comes from the cultivation of natural fibers, improvements in farming practices could also reduce water consumption. This includes practices like precision irrigation, genetically modifying plants to require less water, or diversifying crops to include those that require less water.
- Recycling and Reusing Water: Wastewater treatment and recycling technology can also play a pivotal role in reducing the water footprint. Clean technologies that not only recover water but also valuable resources within the effluents such as dyes and salts could help in closing the water loop in textile production.
- Sourcing Sustainable Raw Materials: Brands can also influence water footprints by sourcing more sustainable raw materials, such as organic cotton, which uses less water and is produced without harmful pesticides.
Moreover, collaboration across the textile supply chain is crucial. Brands, manufacturers, and suppliers need to work together to implement these strategies and create a sustainable textile industry.
Figure 1: Flowchart displaying the consumption of water in a textile factory [^3^]
Conclusion
While each of these strategies has its own set of challenges, the benefits they offer to water conservation efforts, the environment, and the future of the textile industry cannot be understated. Adopting these strategies not only ensures the sustainability of the industry but also keeps it in compliance with the ever-stringent environmental regulation and the increasing consumer awareness towards sustainability. It is now on the shoulders of the key decision-makers in the textile industry to make these strategies a part of their business model and lead their industry towards sustainable practices.
[^1^]: Hogue, C. (2016). The textile industry tries to thread the needle between better and faster. Chemical and Engineering News, 94(27), 26-31. Retrieved from: Chemical and Engineering News
[^2^]: Chapagain, A.K., Hoekstra, A.Y., Savenije, H.H.G., & Gautam, R. (2006). The water footprint of cotton consumption: An assessment of the impact of worldwide consumption of cotton products on the water resources in the cotton producing countries. Ecological Economics, 60(1), 186-203. doi:10.1016/j.ecolecon.2005.11.027
[^3^]: Sattler, K., & Hafner, G. (2001). Closed water circuit in a textile factory. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 33(1), 77-86. doi:10.1016/S0921-3449(01)00074-0