A joint Sino-Dutch project has been launched in the Yangtze River Delta. ‘Sustainable Textiles’ aim is to achieve more sustainability within the supply chain and take the first steps towards a fully circular production cycle. The project supports Dutch fashion brands committed to making their supply chain more sustainable. The project specifically aims at improving the sustainability of dyeing and printing enterprises in the Yangtze River Delta region. The Dutch environmental consulting agency Arcadis is, with support from the Netherlands Consulate General in Shanghai, managing the project for the ten involved companies.

With three modules, the project aims to help participating printing and dyeing enterprises reduce their environmental footprint and control occupational safety and health risks. The environmental pollution control module discusses the green supply chain. Topics include chemical management, waste gas treatment, waste disposal and land pollution control. Also, solutions to re-use waste water are introduced. The energy consumption module discusses solutions for printing and dyeing enterprises to reduce energy consumption, use of chemicals and water resources. The occupational safety and health module aims at creating a safe and healthy working environment. It includes on-site hazard assessment and guidance for enterprises.

Producing a cotton shirt requires about 2700 liters of water, which equals a two year drinking supply for an average person. Besides use of resources, it’s also about the waste being produced. When not handled safely, chemicals in this process can cause serious pollution and affect aquatic plants and algae or crops and soils.