Netherlands’ ZDHC to address microfibres within wastewater

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The ZDHC Foundation (ZDHC) and The Microfibre Consortium (TMC) have unveiled details of the next stage of a major initiative to address the issue of microfibres in textile manufacturing wastewater. TMC is a research-led sustainable textiles NGO, working to convene the global textiles sector through the microfibre 2030 commitment and roadmap.

Following the release of ‘Control of Microfibres in Wastewater’ manufacturing guidelines by TMC, the two organisations will now collaborate closely during a new phase of the project, combining the expertise of ZDHC in sustainable chemical management and the science led fibre fragmentation (previously referred to as microfibre release) knowledge of TMC, ZDHC said in a media statement.

The ZDHC Foundation (ZDHC) and The Microfibre Consortium (TMC) have unveiled details of the next stage of a major initiative to address the issue of microfibres in textile manufacturing wastewater. TMC is a research-led sustainable textiles NGO, working to convene the global textiles sector through the microfibre 2030 commitment and roadmap.

Designed to help companies and supply chains better control microfibres in wastewater during textile manufacturing which includes apparel and footwear products, the preliminary guidelines in the document identify an approach that can be taken throughout the industry, to best support change within manufacturing.

Building on the first phase of this work which looked to identify and landscape utilisation of existing technologies across the industry, this upcoming phase will focus on the measurement and baselining so that progress can be managed effectively and transparently.  To support this, a dedicated task team from ZDHC and TMC will focus on three key areas. It includes defining a test methodology to identify globally available test methods to measure fibre loss within waste water at a manufacturing level. The next part is determining a baseline for microfibre loss from manufacturing facilities. Lastly, they will align with a harmonised data infrastructure, working to identify a reporting structure that captures the measurement and control of microfibres from manufacturing facilities.

The work will be managed as three key interconnected workstreams that draw from the strengths of the two organisations, and which leverage the unique knowledge building that is achievable as a result. ZDHC and TMC are also encouraging businesses and other stakeholders from the textile industry to both adopt the manufacturing guidelines captured in ‘Control of Microfibres in Wastewater’, and also contribute to the next phase of the project, adding to the collective knowledge base that is being drawn on to tackle the issue, according to ZDHC.

“The collaboration between TMC and ZDHC is a great example that two organisations can come together by building a competence centre around fibre shedding. This will leverage each other’s expertise and infrastructure,” Frank Michel, executive director of the ZDHC Foundation, said in a statement.

“We are looking here to maximise change, without the need for huge investment or complicated modifications within textile production.  This new collaborative phase with ZDHC and our combined networks, offers up unique value in the strength between the two organisations, whilst leveraging existing approaches to work at the manufacturing  level.  There is an urgency for us to be able to measure consistently from facility to facility, so that we can manage loss and ultimately impact. I offer up a call to action for industry at all levels, synthetic and natural fibres, high fashion to outdoor, to align and encourage manufacturing facilities to support this work,” Sophie Mather, executive director of TMC, said.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (GK)



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