Sustainability is normally understood/executed as a tool for big exporters while it is equally or even more important for small-or medium-level exporters. But so far nothing concrete or no such strong initiatives have been taken to support these SMEs to promote sustainable developments in their factories. Hence, these exporters have been really missing out on the sustainable aspect in their set-ups as well as products. Recently, AEPC launched its Apparel Industry Sustainability Initiative (AISA) which is a national sustainability programme, designed especially for Indian SMEs to enhance their competitiveness. In fact, it has also released a booklet in knowledge partnership with c-Kinetics, which highlights more than 50 such points where apparel manufacturing units can save energy as well as money.
Adopting sustainability means to attract more buyers and create a comfortable workplace for all the human forces involved in the manufacturing unit. Keeping this in mind, AISA’s booklet suggests three areas of action which are Electricity and Fuel Management; Water and Wastewater management; House-keeping, Maintenance and Chemical Management. And almost all of its observations apply to most of the small-and medium-level export houses. The booklet even describes the resolutions/recommendations, environmental as well as monetary impact of implementing these beneficial measures. Any exporter can get significant help in improving its facility and upgrade itself to sustainable standards by incorporating these suggestions. As stated by Chadrima Chatterjee, Advisor, AEPC, “We have kept it simple to attract SMEs. We are further doing a survey to see how to add more value and raise this initiative to its next level. We are also planning to bring these exporters together through an online platform where they can learn and share more. Sooner or later, SMEs have to gear themselves up for sustainability reporting to their buyers.”
With respect to the first key effective action emphasizing on “Electricity and Fuel Management”, it identifies 32 areas/measures and some of them are truly interesting. One such measure is the installation of voltage stabilizer and step-down voltage to 210 volts in case of constant high feed in voltage which results in 5 to 10 per cent reduction in the electrical energy consumed. It will save similar percentage in terms of money also. Replacing overhead lights (using T8 or T5 lights) with LED instead and providing point needle light on machines, are some other sustainable steps which will help in saving 50 to 60 per cent electricity. In terms of cost, the saving will be 50 per cent.
Why AISA
• To enhance the competitiveness
• To reduce footprint…
Areas of Action
• Electricity and Fuel Management
• Water and Wastewater Management
• House-keeping, Maintenance and Chemical Management
If any observations, suggestions given in AISA have not quantified for environmental or monetary impact, they should not be ignored as they definitely have an impact in some other way, be it through reducing risk or improving overall systematic efficiency.
Not all of steam boilers have condensate recovery system. One should always install boilers supported by these systems as it recycles heat and water from the steam, increasing feed in temperature up to 10°C recovering 5 to 15 per cent of the energy used. Citation of air leaks in compressed air tank/valves/delivery line/machine level can be improved by sealing all air leaks and subsequently monitoring and maintaining on daily basis. It reduces 15-40 per cent energy spent on compressed air and is easier to be implemented in factories..
AISA booklet’s recommended sustainable actions in the field of water and wastewater management can reduce 5 to 15 per cent net-water consumption of the entire facility. The units which do not have a past history of reusing or recycling the sewage or effluent water, can try to find low-effluent discharge areas and evaluate scope of reusing water in permissible activities or can even think of recycling it to return to primary source reducing 15-20 per cent net water consumption.
As far as house-keeping, maintenance and chemical management is concerned, there are total 11 points specified in this booklet for SMEs’ reference. One of the crucial points applies in case of maintenance schedule and log books. It suggests that one should utilize standard formats to track and manage maintenance requirement of machines and even explain the maintenance teams on the requirement for preventive maintenance and how it impacts life, utility, and productivity. This can save 5 to 10 per cent in net machine source consumption associated with the task. Besides, it ensures 15-25 per cent reduction in downtime and corrective maintenance costs.
Non-optimal temperature for air-conditioners is very common but if a unit sets all its air-conditioners at 27°C, cleans the AC filters and heat exchanger fins regularly, follows format and activity list to be carried out for maintenance of air-conditioners on a routine, monthly and annual basis, it will preserve 3 per cent of energy consumed for every 1°C of increase in temperature till the required temperature of 27°C is reached.
