Inefficient use of chemical substances in dyeing cloth in the export-oriented dresses and textile industry ends in nearly 70% of chemical substances being wasted, amounting to billions of bucks, experts and entrepreneurs private said.
These wasted chemical substances are either treated at Effluent Medication Vegetation (ETPs) at excessive prices or discharged into rivers and canals, causing important environmental pollution.
The RMG industry, however, has the aptitude to utilize chemical substances more efficiently by imposing developed applied sciences and growing user awareness, they said for the length of a roundtable at The Change Customary direct of commercial in the capital’s Eskaton on Monday.
TBS Head of Digital Zahid Newaz Khan moderated the roundtable titled, “Textile Pollution Adjust and Bettering Workers’ Occupational Health Security via Chemical Management”, collectively organised by The Change Customary, Solidaridad, and ESTex Foundation.
RMG companies producing export products most frequently private ETPs to treat wastewater and eradicate hideous chemical substances, dyes, and pollutants. On the other hand, companies manufacturing for the local market most frequently lack ETPs.
In accordance with central bank knowledge, in FY23, Bangladesh imported chemical products for the chemical and allied industries price approximately $7.5 billion, representing 12.2% of the country’s total annual imports.
R&D crucial to curb chemical use
Addressing the event, Shajedul Islam Maruf, deputy total manager (DGM) of the Sustainability Department at Beximco, said, “Around 70% of the chemical substances former in textile dyeing are wasted and discarded, and we rely on ETPs to neutralise these wasted chemical substances.”
He outlined that fabrics are dyed at excessive temperatures in tremendous drums crammed with chemical substances that coat the material, whereas the leftover chemical substances, price billions of bucks yearly, are discarded.
“In preference to getting rid of them after one use, we may per chance presumably per chance get better and reuse chemical substances love caustic soda, salt, and indigo,” he suggested.
Maruf emphasised the importance of growing systems to prevent chemical extinguish, announcing, “If we arrange chemical use effectively, we are able to pass against a rep-zero carbon emission diagram as envisioned by the chief adviser [Muhammad Yunus].”
He also careworn the necessity to utilize multi-useful chemical substances, which may per chance presumably per chance replace a complete lot of products, thus lowering pollution. “There are surely many sensitive chemical substances that can develop maximum output with minimal use,” he added.
Furthermore, Maruf highlighted the need for industrial R&D to decrease chemical consumption. “Now we were discussing occupational security in the garment sector for a long time, however its financial implications private occasionally been addressed,” he great.
Central database to video show chemical use
Presenting the keynote, Mohidus Samad Khan, a professor at the Department of Chemical Engineering at Buet, said, “Bangladesh makes use of chemical substances all over a quantity of sectors, with the textile sector being the largest consumer.”
Nevertheless to prevent important extinguish of chemical substances in the garment sector, engaging administration is crucial, he said.
The professor said the key principles of sustainability in the apparel industry encompass eradicating extinguish and pollution, circulating products and materials, and regenerating nature. “The target is to prolong the lifestyles of textile products whereas lowering their environmental affect,” he said.
Mohidus also mentioned the shortcoming of a central database for monitoring chemical use in the industry. “Raising chemical administration awareness amongst workers is required,” he concluded.
Tech can get better wasted chemical substances
Easir Arafat Khan, affiliate professor at Buet’s Department of Chemical Engineering, said, “The chemical substances we use private measurable impacts, and amongst them, some are hazardous. We must always assess whether or no longer they are in fact foremost.”
He said, “Around 85% of occupational deaths in the country are linked to chemical-linked ailments, whereas 15% are attributable to accidents. As an illustration, many factory workers are growing most cancers. We desire to pay more consideration to administrative heart security, notably for these going via chemical substances.
“By applying developed know-how to chemical use, we are able to get better chemical substances, decrease environmental pollution, and boost company earnings.”
Masud Rana Shahin, total manager of W3RS, an environmental consultancy firm, said, “By forming partnerships with chemical suppliers, companies can sort certain excessive-quality chemical substances, resulting in prolonged-term commercial advantages.”
Mohammad Monower Hossain, head of Sustainability at leading apparel manufacturer Group Neighborhood, said over 200 high RMG factories are geared up with coaching centres centered on engaging chemical use and R&D companies and products.
On the other hand, they require the assistance of the Nationwide Abilities Trend Authority (NSDA) to toughen their abilities. “If the NSDA steps ahead, the industry would serve greatly,” he added.
Chemical security key to retaining workers’ well being
Ali Asraf Khan, sustainability and price chain adviser at the Embassy of Denmark in Dhaka, careworn the straightforward significance of chemical security for workers’ well being, the environment, and native communities.
“The penalties of inadequate chemical security and administration at production companies and products are extreme: workers private died, rivers were polluted, and fishing communities private misplaced their livelihoods – to call actual about a,” he said.
He also said with the rising legislation below the European Inexperienced Deal, it’s miles anticipated that companies will more and more put in concepts chemical security and administration dangers in their supply chains.
“While Bangladeshi legislation and policies on occupational security and well being are quite well-aligned with global requirements, there is a persisted need to increase compliance with and enforcement of these rules and rules,” Ali Asraf said.
Environmental concerns need to no longer be overpassed
Selim Reza Hasan, the country manager of Solidaridad, a global civil society organisation, said, “The Rana Plaza incident was a important setback for us. Over the final decade, now we private made important development in addressing constructing security via collective efforts, however now the focal point has shifted to environmental concerns. The foremost mission here is chemical pollution. We must always put in concepts how chemical substances are being former and model certain workers’ security in the system.”
He added, “Now we private developed a chemical dimension module and impartial to put in force collective monitoring. With our knowledge, we are able to substitute mindsets. If we is not any longer going to decrease pollution, we must always also put in concepts how we are able to help ourselves. It is famous to pay closer consideration to how we use chemical substances.”
Fauzia Sultana, managing director of ESTex, said, “It is wanted to first tag the cause in the encourage of utilizing chemical substances. We desire a thorough working out of chemical utilization and recycling processes.”
