ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Implementation of Sustainable Practices in Textile
Processing Mills of Lahore, Pakistan
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1
WWF-Pakistan, Lahore, Pakistan
2
University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Submission date: 2018-06-06
Final revision date: 2018-10-04
Acceptance date: 2018-10-18
Online publication date: 2019-09-02
Publication date: 2019-10-23
Corresponding author
Farah Nadeem
WWF Pakistan, Ali Institute, Ferozepur Road, Lahore, Paistan, 54000 Lahore, Pakistan
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2020;29(1):1-9
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ABSTRACT
This project study assesses the effectiveness of sustainable practices for minimizing water use,
energy conservation and wastewater pollution reduction in 21 textile processing units of Lahore, Pakistan
that volunteered and participated in the project study. Detailed assessment audits were conducted to
identify the hotspot inefficient areas in terms of water, energy and wastewater. After that, the most
feasible best techniques for cleaner production were deciphered through a multi-criteria decision-making
process. A total of 45 techniques were listed. Each suggested option was discussed thoroughly with
the management of the mills in order to determine their economic viability and techno-applicability.
Business case scenarios were built with investment options and payback times for all techniques. Each
mill chose the practices most suitable to them and implemented the selected best water management
practices and cleaner production techniques with the help of the project team, which conducted
regular audits of all mills in order to assess the implementation process and to determine improvements
caused by sustainable practice. It was observed that approximately 67% of selected industries achieved
a 10-30% reduction in wastewater pollution. All mills achieved a water consumption reduction ranging
1-19.5%. Furthermore, 80% of industries also achieved an improvement in their energy efficiency
ranging 0.2-60 MJ x 106/Year.