Quantification of Industrial Carbon Footprint and Introducing a GHG Reduction Plan for a Textile Industry in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The garment sector is the largest industrial polluter in the world, responsible for around 10% of the worldwide carbon footprint. This study shows how the carbon footprint can be calculated and GHGs reduction techniques could be introduced to a textile industry, aiming enhanced environmental performance and sustainability. The four major steps used to calculate carbon footprint were, identification of boundary of the study, scope of analysis, data collection and data analysis. Primary data covering the Scope 1 (i.e., Generator, Boiler, Fire extinguisher), Scope 2 (i.e., Grid electricity) and Scope 3 (i.e., Accessories, Staff, Waste transportation) emissions were collected by conducting industrial visits. Published materials, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines and GHG protocol guidelines were used as secondary data. Interviewing the workers and the staff was also utilized to generate some effective carbon management strategies that could be introduced. The average fuel consumption was analyzed by one sample t statistical test in Minitab 8 statistical software. Total GHGs emissions related to Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 were 749 t CO2e, 957 t CO2e, and 1,151 t CO2e, respectively. To develop a carbon management plan, the general manufacturing process of the facility and the related environmental impacts were analyzed and investigated by cost benefit analysis. According to the GHG reduction plan replacing fluorescent bulbs with LED tube bulbs (4.05%), replacing fluorescent bulbs with LED task bulbs in sewing section (0.2%), introducing adsorption chiller technology to reduce electricity cost for air conditioning (35.5%), introducing a solar power panel system (15%), sensor taps to optimize consumption time and minimize the water wastage (0.001%) and introducing Hippo water saving device for toilet system (0.06%) are the recommended carbon reduction opportunities in the studied textile industry. Further research is recommended to seek for causes that contribute to rising carbon footprint other than electricity consumption, while suggestions for lowering organizational carbon footprint are also discussed.