Global apparel retailer Gap Inc and global textile manufacturer Arvind Ltd have unveiled a new water treatment facility that will eliminate use of freshwater at Arvind’s denim manufacturing facility in Ahmedabad, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts of both companies to reduce the amount of water used in the apparel production pipeline.
Global apparel retailer Gap Inc and global textile manufacturer Arvind Ltd have unveiled a new water treatment facility that will eliminate use of freshwater at Arvind’s denim manufacturing facility in Ahmedabad, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts of both companies to reduce the amount of water used in the apparel production pipeline.
The new facility will save eight million litres of fresh water per day, or 2.5 billion litres of freshwater on an annual basis, preserving the local community’s vital freshwater resources.
Arvind’s denim manufacturing facility in Ahmedabadwill now operate entirely with reclaimed water using Membrane Bio Reactor (MBR) technology, which will treat domestic wastewater drawn from the surrounding community without chemicals in the process.
“We’re proud to reach this milestone in our ongoing efforts to end water-wasting processes and reduce our environmental impact. This project is an important example of innovative, sustainable solutions we can unlock through partnership across the apparel industry,” said Christophe Roussel, EVP of global sourcing at Gap Inc.
“This collaboration with GAP Inc will not only help us achieve our water goals collectively but will also help us eliminate usage of water in our textile production process. In last two decades and recently with the help of Arvind Envisol we have made significant efforts towards water reduction and recycling activities.
The partnership will also help in expanding scope of water savings across various industry sectors through an innovation centre,” said PunitLalbhai, executive director, Arvind Limited.
Gap Inc will have exclusive rights to the water savings through the project, including the annual savings from the project moving forward. By the end of 2020, the project will save 3 billion litres of freshwater in total, which will be applied to the company’s goal of reducing 10 billion litres of water in the supply chain by 2020. Through product design innovation and partnership with its vendors, the company has saved more than 5.7 billion litres of water to date.
