Reduce waste at source
Minimising chemical-related waste including reuse or recycling lessens the need for disposal.
Waste reduction actions
Track the potential propensity of chemicals or other inputs to become waste and take action to reduce the waste at the source.
- Track the shelf life of chemicals and use them before the expiry date.
- Ensure that chemicals meet the latest version of ZDHC MRSL.
- Chemicals purchased with earlier dates are used earlier (First in first out (FIFO) system).
- Excess quantities of chemicals are not purchased.
Reuse waste
Wherever possible, the chemical-related waste should be reused either for the same application or for a new application. E.g.:
Left-over printing pastes can be reused for dark colours by mixing them in proper quantities. A textile washing agent that can be used for floor cleaning. Wet blue hides can be reused for applications like buffing.
Recycle waste
Recycling can be of two types:
- Upcycling: The use of waste to produce a new item of equal or better quality. (E.g. Fabric waste converted into carpets or bags).
- Downcycling: The use of waste to produce an item of lesser economic value or a different application. (E.g. Fabric waste converted into insulation products or paddings).
Recommendations
- Track the shelf-life of purchased chemicals and use before the expiry date in production.
- Ensure the newly purchased chemicals meet the latest version of the ZDHC MRSL.
- Implement first in first out (FIFO) system.
- Ensure correct storage conditions to prevent physical and chemical changes in the formulation due to incorrect storage conditions.
- Purchase chemicals as per the production and ensure excess quantities are not purchased for bulk discounts or to cover any price fluctuations.
- Plan chemical purchasing in line with any special customer requirements (e.g. speciality finishes such as flame retardants or anti-microbial finish) to prevent residual stocks after the customer orders are completed.
- Implement first in first out (FIFO) system.
- Discuss with chemical suppliers to provide chemicals in containers that can be used or recycled (e.g. carton or paper bag packaging)
- Implement innovative ways to reuse the plastic container waste e.g. cut and reuse plastic containers as sheets for roofs of car park or waste yards in facility or reuse plastic carboys for plantation /beautification of premises.
- Collect and send plastic containers to plastic recycling agencies after thorough washing.
- Ensure that excess quantities of chemicals are not purchased.
- Check the possibility of refining the residues to reuse in the facility or in other industries.
- Recycle the frames wherever possible.
- Invest in and change to digital printing if possible.
- Ensure excess quantities are not purchased.
- Purchase high quality printing inks with optimal flow properties to ensure a longer life of cartridges.
- Wash thoroughly and send to plastic recycling agencies.
- Wash thoroughly and use at suitable places for covers.
- Explore options for upcycling and downcycling the textile material after evaluating for risks of restricted substances.
- Improve right first time dying/printing to reduce rejections.
- Ensure quantities produces are as per production planning with no excess.
- Produce exactly as per the specifications of the buyer.
- Reuse in other product applications. (surface applications like buffing, shaving, dust, etc)
- Reuse in biogas and fertiliser facilities as an organic material in nature.
- Reuse as high-value feedstock to produce new materials such as leather boards, bonded leather, reconstituted leather or other composite materials.
- Explore the possibility of reducing consumption (e.g. fewer number of light bulbs).
- Repair/refurbish electronic equipment.
- Send to e-waste recyclers.
1. Explore the possibility of use in construction materials after mixing it with paper and binder.