Greenpeace recently released information regarding major brands releasing hazardous chemical residues into public waterways through the laundering process of consumers. Once these chemicals reach the rivers, lakes and oceans they break down into even more toxic and hormone disrupting compounds. The studies measured for the first time the percentage of the hazardous chemicals nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) washed out during simulated standard domestic laundering conditions for 14 clothing items. The results showed brands such as Abercrombie & Fitch, G-Star and Calvin Klein are unknowingly polluting the public water supplies in regions and countries around the world, including those where there are restrictions or bans on the use of these chemicals. Marietta Harjono, Greenpeace International Toxics Campaigner said “This study proves that the textile industry is creating water pollution all around the globe. While the discharges of toxic chemicals from the manufacturing process is focused where the textile are produced, the washing of the clothes and the pollution which follows are happening anywhere in the world these products are bought.” Greenpeace published two reports in 2011, one investigating the discharge of hazardous substances from textiles manufacturing in China linked to major clothing and sportswear companies (Dirty Laundry), and another detailing the presence of NPEs in clothing and footwear of 15 leading brands (Dirty Laundry 2: Hung Out to Dry). To mark the publication of “Dirty Laundry Reloaded” and raise awareness for the pollution caused by the fashion sector, Greenpeace activists joined PlanetStreet artists to create a 3D street painting which was unveiled in the square facing the World Fashion Centre in Amsterdam. When Greenpeace released these reports, they challenged global brands to stop all releases of hazardous chemicals from their supply chains and products by 2020. The challenge so far led to public commitments to “Detox” from Nike, Adidas, Puma and Li-Ning, along with fashion retailers H&M and C&A. Given the scale of the problem, Greenpeace is calling for more brands to join the Detox challenge. For the companies which have already committed Greenpeace is demanding that they respond to the urgency of the situation by setting clear and ambitious short term deadlines for the elimination of the most hazardous chemicals. World Water Day is approaching and while international organizations and research groups show their concerns over the future of water quality and water access, the textile industry is still polluting.
The reports released by Greenpeace has opened up an entire new way of looking at how pollution can occur. The claim of major brands polluting long after their day of manufacturing was legitimized through scientific research and brought to the public by a well established organization. Being able to get major brands such as Nike, Adidas, Puma, Li-Ning, H&M and C&A onboard with stopping the release of these hazardous chemicals is a major step in the right direction. These very high status company will help influence others to get onboard with the changes. These companies can also benefit from the marketing aspect of “greening” up their act. They could not only advertise that they are more environmentally friendly but the cost savings in operations and manufacturing costs would also benefit them. Being a leader in the major global economy and being a forward green thinking company could set them up nicely for the future if our world ends up changing it’s polluting ways. Due to rising labor costs and restrictions on pollution here in America we are shipping that all off to other countries where their workforce and resources are exploited. We think that the pollution that is generated from all our stuff would stay closer to the place of manufacturing. But in reality the pollution that stays in China indirectly effects us but the chemicals that come with the products effect us directly. Wherever those products go they take their pollution with them. There is no way for the average consumer to even remove the chemicals in an environmentally sensitive way. Everyone normally launders their clothes at home or at a service. Which most of these places waste water is drained back into the local watershed. To have change on this matter would require the manufactures to rinse and hopefully clean the waste water or eliminate the use of the chemicals all together. The elimination of the chemicals would be the ideal solution. Hopefully with Greenpeace putting pressure on these companies to clean up their act, more will follow suit. If they don’t comply they will proceed to get pressure applied to them by environmental groups from all over the world. New research that sheds light on issues like this makes one think about what else these large companies are doing without anyone knowing. These corporations are very profitable organizations and should be held accountable for the products they sell. Including the testing of the safety of their products.
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