Advancing Sustainable Chemical Management in Southern Africa 🌍

As part of the Southern Africa UNIDO project BluWin has been in Lesotho hosting training on ZDHC CMS TIG and wastewater management. 

The overall objective of this UNIDO project is the promotion of a circular economy in the textile and apparel sectors through sustainable chemical and waste management in South Africa, Lesotho, Madagascar and Ethiopia. ZDHC is one of many partners collaborating on this project.

Over 30 industry representatives from Lesotho participated in the training. These included textile manufacturers, government representatives, industry associations and academia. The training so far has received positive feedback and is paving the way for the continued implementation of a sustainable chemical management system in the textile industry in Lesotho.

The in-person training included facility visits, also conducted by BluWin, providing guidance on developing a chemical inventory list (CIL), assessing chemical management practices, and ensuring compliance with the ZDHC MRSL.

In total, six companies were part of the programme:

• Formosa Textile
• Hippo Knitting 
• Global Garments Co.
• Tzicc Clothing Manufacturers
• Lesotho Precious Garments
• Leo Garments

In addition, ZDHC just hosted the Madagascar kick-off webinar. Here, we introduced ZDHC and updated stakeholders about the year’s planned activities. BluWin is planning further ZDHC training and facility visits in April.