Submitted by: Nitin Katoch Sabhyata Marwah
Every year the seasons seem to be a little off, never at average for that time of the year. Always a bit above or below annual temperatures. Most people say global warming is the problem but they dont realize that their everyday activities greatly contribute to the international problem. Every person on our planet plays a role in impacting our homes environment, for better or for worse.
The Carbon Footprint of a product is the total amount of CO2 and other greenhouse gases that are emitted as part of its manufacture, distribution, use and disposal. Greenhouse gases (GHGs) trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere and keep the planet warm: too much GHGs in the atmosphere causes climate change. A carbon footprint is made up of two parts: direct carbon footprint and indirect carbon footprint. DIRECT CARBON FOOTPRINT: It is a measure of our direct emissions of CO from the burning of fossil fuels including domestic energy consumption and transportation (e.g. Vehicles). We have direct control of them. They are easy for us to change by limiting the use of such products which release CO2 and other greenhouse gases. For example by cycling, car sharing, using public transport and planning trees. INDIRECT CARBON FOOTPRINT: It is a measure of the indirect CO2 emissions from the whole lifecycle of products we use, generally associated with their manufacture and eventual disposal.
United Kingdom has launched the worlds first carbon footprint label for clothing in 2009. The project is part of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) sustainable clothing action plan that was piloted with the help of Continental Clothing and Carbon Trust. The standard measures the GHG emissions in goods and services through their entire lifecycle. The Carbon Reduction Label for textiles displayed on T-shirts and sweatshirts informs the consumer of the total lifecycle footprint as well as their own contribution through washing, tumble-drying and ironing. A huge portion of the environmental impact from clothing actually comes from the consumers usage and laundering.
The manufacturing of textiles is one of the oldest of human technologies. The basic process of textile manufacturing requires fibre which is converted to yarn, primarily by spinning, to be processed into fabric & finally finishes are applied for further processing into a wide range of products. Not only manufacturing but consumption of textiles are also contributing to the emission of greenhouse gases. (reference: Techtex India journal)
The energy needed to produce different fibres varies accordingly. Fibres can be divided into natural and man-made fibres. For natural fibres, energy is utilized in the form of mechanized irrigation which runs on non-renewable fossil fuels that emit CO2 into the atmosphere. Also the use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers also contributes to the carbon footprints. Production of polyester fibre, the most widely used man-made fibre, consumes non-renewable resources and high energy levels and generates atmospheric emissions.
Petroleum-derived synthetic fibres like polyester and nylon and the natural man-made fibres such as lyocell and rayon generally require additional energy to be made into fabrics. The spinning, weaving and knitting stages use a lot of energy, produce solid waste and generate dust and noise and also involve the use of lubricants and oils. This translates into huge quantities of fossil fuels - both to create energy directly needed to power the mills, produce heat and steam, and indirectly in the form of many chemicals used in the production of the fabrics.
It basically comprises of pre-treatment, dyeing, printing and finishing processes which use a significant amount of water, energy and chemicals thus producing substantial amounts of effluent. Modern dyes are based on petrochemicals, a non-renewable resource and there are many risks to human health and the environment from modern dyes. The effluent poses a great danger to the environment as the global textile industry discharges 40,000 to 50,000 tons of dye into rivers etc. annually.
This phase adds to the carbon footprint in the form of electricity which is needed to run machines like electric cutters, sewing & fusing machines, steam iron sets etc. Also the boilers used to generate steams, used in pressing consume a lot of diesel fuel thus adding to the carbon footprint.
The carbon emissions are created to generate the electricity used to wash clothing in warm temperature water and tumble dryers. . The major part of environmental impact in the lifecycle of a garment arises from the consumer use phase which is a recurring phase during maintenance and irreversible phase when non-biodegradable substances are disposed off.
In a bid to reduce global warming, Woodland has taken an initiative this year by planning to become a fully carbon neutral company. By doing this, Woodland will be the first carbon neutral company in India. This is part of its campaign Proplanet, which has set for itself the goal of net Zero Carbon emissions for operational activities. By it Woodland will make customers aware of the eco-index of the products which would explain the eco-friendly measures that have gone into the companys product, right from the chemical used to the total carbon footprint. \By 2015, the company aims at becoming entirely carbon neutral. WOODLAND INTRODUCED A NEW COLLECTION MADE FROM NATURAL FIBRES.
On November 26, 2010 PUMA received the prestigious German Sustainability Award for Most Sustainable Strategy 2010. PUMA wants to reduce CO2, energy, water and waste in PUMA offices, stores, warehouses and direct supplier factories by 25% over the next four years. Introducing a paperless office policy will curtail paper usage by 75% and more efficient product transport solutions by our logistic partners should reduce their CO2 emissions by 25%. Clever Little Bag by Puma is the next generation in shoeboxes. Switching to the Clever Little bag also reduces our carbon emissions by 10,000 tons a year.
To become a zero-emissions company is the bold vision of the adidas Group's Green Company Initiative which was launched in October 2008. Adidas has launched Grn, a sustainable range of footwear for both men and women. Adidas asserts that within its range, every element of the product and packaging will have the least impact on the environment. Every shoe in the range fits into the category of Made from, recycled, and reground. Materials used in the range include: chromium free leather (or suede), cotton and jute, recycled PET, recycled rubber and tyres, hemp, linen, wood pulp fibres, gum rubber as well as mulberry paper and bamboo on a particular shoes in the womens range
bamboo and yarn is used in making the upper of the shoe
Made from cotton, hemp, jute and recycled rubber
M&Ss launched Plan A for becoming the worlds most sustainable major retailer by 2015 which targetted to have carbon-neutral operations including stores, offices, warehouses and delivery fleets by 2015, while improving carbon efficiency by 35% per square feet over the same timescale. A significant step in that direction has been the development of an independently assured, operational carbon footprint, showing all the main sources of carbon emissions in the business. Some of the many measures that have been adopted include sourcing renewable electricity equivalent to 40% of the retailers total consumption; specifying more fuel efficient cars in the fleet; reducing refrigeration emissions through better maintenance and less harmful gases; and using loose loading to get more products into a delivery vehicle. CONSTRACH PACKAGING
The multibillion-dollar athletic apparel maker Nike Inc. joined with the World Wildlife Fund's (WWF) Climate Savers Program to slice greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the year 2001. The goal was to reduce by 13 % the amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated, using 1998 figures as a baseline. To do that, the company implemented energy conservation projects, purchase green power and invest in community energy efficiency projects. The company estimated it flies for business an average of 110 million miles a year in the United States alone. However, the company paired with Delta Air Lines for an "Eco-Class" flight classification in 2000 -- a program where Nike and Delta both donated a portion of the ticket price to offset carbon dioxide emissions through innovative projects.
USE OF RECYCLED POLYESTER IN APPAREL, WHICH IS PRODUCED FROM PLASTIC WASTE SUCH AS DISCARDED PLASTIC BOTTLES
Hidesign, an eco friendly leather goods brand, has carved a niche for itself amongst luxury goods. The leaders in leather use a process of vegetable tanning unlike most other manufacturers whose products are chrome-tanned and coated by heavy finishes; the worst polluters of the environment All waste-water from the factory undergoes a filtration process, and is reused. Waste material from the factory is separated and reused, or sold for reuse. The brand does not burn any waste material. Their leather products are created from extracts of local forest produce like the Myrobalam and Wattle trees. This is beneficial for the user's health since it protects the user from harmful effects of chromium, and the finish of the product is long-lasting. The brand has discontinued the use of plastic bags. The brand also launched a program called Art of Reuse in 2011.
ITC has been at the forefront of corporate India's initiatives to progressively reduce Green House Gas emissions. Its businesses continue to enlarge the Company's positive carbon footprint through energy conservation, use of renewable sources of energy and identifying ways of mitigating the adverse effects of climate change caused by global warming. 30.9 % of ITCs energy consumption is from renewable sources. ITC has chosen Wind Energy as a focus area for enhancing its positive environmental footprint. ITC's social and farm forestry initiatives have created a green cover of over 125,000 hectares, consolidating its position as a 'Carbon Positive' corporation for six years in a row.
