Sweden Textile Water Initiative

Sweden Textile Water Initiative started in 2010 as a joint project between textile and leather retail companies in Sweden together with Stockholm International Water Institute. As of November 2011, 32 companies have joined STWI.

It is a learning process around water issues in the supply chains of textile and leather retailers with the aim of producing guidelines for sustainable water management, from thread and leather to product.

Why

In a world with an increasing pressure on natural resources, notably freshwater, and with an increasing lack of the trust needed in a sustainable society - the continuous success of companies relies on their ability to transform their operations, and the operations of their suppliers to meet sustainable business criteria.

In addition, we see a growth in conscious customers who are in the process of redefining luxury and “quality of life” from excess and wastefulness to efficiency and sustainability.

Sweden has a long tradition as thought leader in the field of sustainability and we, the founders, are determined to make a difference in our sector by introducing the STWI Guidelines in 2012.

What

During an initial two year process, the STWI companies will form working groups on topics such as production technique, water treatment, sludge management, and policy engagement, which will serve as platforms for a learning process and the development of guidelines for sustainable water use.

From "thread and leather to product" will be our first focus but we, the founding companies, are aware that there are many challenges on our journey toward a sustainable production of clothing, fabric and leather and we have the ambition, in future projects, to address these issues which include: farming, transportation, cleaning and recycling.

Goal

By developing guidelines for sustainable water use in the production and manufacturing processes of textiles and leather, we aim to contribute to wiser water management in our supply chain.

News feed

2012-02-23
STWI publicerar debattartikel i Dagens Industri

2012-02-22
EU-lagstifta om giftfria kläder

2012-02-21
IKEA draws up global water strategy for supply chain

2012-02-21
Pollution Board razes textile dyeing units in Erode

2012-02-07
Color It Green: Nike to Adopt Waterless Textile Dyeing

2012-02-06 
Hong Kong Aims to Reduce Textile Waste

2012-01-26
All approvals in place for Cuddalore textile park