With growing global demand for sustainable alternatives to virgin materials and increasing pressure to meet decarbonisation goals, the Indian textile industry faces the need to optimise recycling practices. However, managing the GHG emissions from recycled textile waste—ranging from cotton and polyester to blends and wool—remains a challenge. Each material has unique environmental impacts, making a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) time-consuming and complex. Regional differences in recycling practices further influence energy consumption, transportation needs, and emissions.
In addition, the processing of textile waste involves mixed waste streams, requiring extra steps to sort and categorise materials before recycling. This complexity makes it difficult to assess the environmental impact of various fibres and blends accurately. The challenge is compounded by the limited operational records kept by many small operators and MSMEs, hindering data collection on energy usage, water consumption, and waste generation.
To address these challenges efficiently, IDH, under the Alternate Material Accelerator Program (AMAP), partnered with GreenStitch to develop a specialised GHG emissions tool. This tool simplifies emission tracking by considering multiple factors specific to the Indian context—making it easier to reduce emissions and meet regulatory demands for traceability and environmental reporting.
How does the Tool work?
As mentioned, this tool bridges the gap between traditional LCA tools and the need for fast, efficient decision-making. Unlike conventional LCA models, which are often time-consuming, this tool allows users to calculate GHG emissions for both pre-consumer and post-consumer textile waste. It takes into account multiple variables such as:
- Material types and waste treatment methods
- Energy consumption and transportation
- Raw material inputs and waste generation
The tool also includes default values tailored for Indian conditions to reflect regional recycling methods. By modelling different scenarios—comparing emissions from virgin material production against recycled production—it helps businesses and policymakers quantify the environmental benefits of recycling. The tool ensures that stakeholders can easily measure emissions, identify areas for improvement, and communicate their sustainability performance effectively.
A Growing Focus on Data Accuracy and Traceability
As regulations on GHG reduction and traceability grow more stringent, this tool ensures that all relevant information is accurately modelled. By reducing the complexity of emission calculations, the tool empowers textile companies and recyclers to streamline their operations and align with national and global decarbonisation goals.
Data Security and Compliance
The platform leverages Microsoft Azure for hosting, with advanced security protocols including encrypted passwords and Azure Key Vault. The backend and database operate within a private VPN, ensuring isolation from public access and allowing only authorised applications to connect. With SOC 2 certification, the platform meets high standards for data security, providing robust protection against breaches or unauthorised access.
This enhanced tool supports the textile sector in its journey towards decarbonisation and sustainable material use, helping businesses stay ahead of evolving environmental regulations while simplifying complex processes for faster decision-making and improved outcomes.
If you would like to know more about the tool, kindly contact
Mr. Kamlesh Pal at pal@idhtrade.org