World Oceans Day, set for June 8, encourages the global community to celebrate and honor our oceans and work together to protect and restore them. It is a time to focus on how the textile industry can be accountable for the what goes into the water.
In the manufacturing of textiles, wastewater from the factories is often dumped directly into rivers, and these contaminates eventually reach the ocean. Habitats are being destroyed which causes servere health problems and diseases.
OEKO-TEX® is committed to helping the textile supply chain improve wastewater and chemical management. Looking for a OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN product label is one way conscious consumers can support brands, retailers and manufacturers that are taking responsibility for manufacturing wastewater.
The MADE IN GREEN label highlights products that have been manufactured with environmentally friendly processes and socially responsible work practices. Plus, MADE IN GREEN ensures consumer safety by testing the product for harmful substances. (OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 and OEKO-TEX® LEATHER STANDARD certifications are built in!).
A product with a OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN label must be produced in facilities that implement and improve sustainable practices in the long term – from the use of chemicals to responsible handling of wastewater. Trained OEKO-TEX® auditors inspect factories to ensure consistent compliance and guide improvement.
OEKO-TEX® requires textile facilities with wet processes (like dyeing) to inventory all chemicals used in manufacturing and conduct a wastewater analysis. There is also an analysis tool called OEKO-TEX® DETOX TO ZERO for the optimization and monitoring of chemicals management and wastewater quality. This practical and feasible action plan screens for hazardous substances and helps manufacturers to avoid the use of toxic chemicals. This protects water from pollution, which is a lifesaving benefit to the wildlife that inhabit it.
The textile industry can help protect oceans and prevent the formation of dead zones by prioritizing sustainable production processes, using greener chemicals in manufacturing and preventing harmful substances from entering wastewater.
Consumers who are looking to reduce their impact on the planet and support efforts to control wastewater pollution should look for a OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN product label when refreshing their closets and home textiles.
