Results

Training of HEI students, on how to reduce the water footprint in the textiles

The main objective is to raise awareness and train HEI students on the importance of using sustainable means for water use in the textiles industry. The delivery of seminars to students will help them upgrade their skills and learn about the water footprint, the importance of calculating and also how to measure and reduce it. This is very important since these students will be the future workforce of the textiles industry sector and this WP will help apply sustainable means for water use in their future careers. Moreover, through the formation of the Industry resource groups and the codesign and delivery of seminars, HEIs are going to develop sustainable cooperation links with the industry, which will result in the reduction of the skills mismatch of students

Results:

Seminars design and learning materials in partners languages.
Organisation of meetings with industry experts.
Delivery of series of seminars to students.
Training of trainers on water footprint in textiles.

Measuring and managing Water Footprint in the textiles sector

The main objective is to help textile companies and HEI students understand the notion of water footprint in the textile sector and the importance of reducing it. Through the collection of case studies and the publication of the consolidated report, partners are going to raise awareness about the water usage needed in the textiles sector and present sustainable ways of using water. Moreover, the development of the modelling framework and the online tool for the calculation of the water footprint in textile companies will help them assess their wastewater discharge. The organisation of pilots and virtual study visits to companies, will also provide further information on the water usage of the specific companies. Partners are going to help the individual companies specify their water usage and calculate their individual blue, grey and green water usage. This will provide a comprehensive picture of water they use by delineating the source of water consumed and the volume of fresh water required for assimilation of pollutants. Calculation of their water footprint will allow companies to answer and have a deeper knowledge on where the water dependence is, in the company’s operations (direct) or supply chain (indirect). They will also be able to forecast whether they can do something to reduce their water footprint. Understanding their water footprint is to understand where water is important to their business and how it relates to the products they are making.

Results:

European report on: Case studies “Measuring water footprint in textile industry”.
Measuring water footprint in textile industry.
Modelling framework for calculating water footprint in textile companies Online tool for calculating water footprint.

Building capacity of textiles companies, to reduce their water footprint

The main objective of this WP is to build the capacity of textile companies, to reduce their water footprint. The online course which will be created will train representatives from textile companies on the notion of the water footprint and thus, they will gain skills which will enable them to identify water related business risks. After the completion of the course, participants will be able to create action plans and take the necessary strategic decisions on how to reduce the water footprint of their companies. Moreover, participants will be trained on how they can measure, assess their company’s water footprint by using the online tool created for water footprint calculation. Moreover, the publication of the good practice guide will raise awareness about the importance of reducing the water footprint of businesses and the business risks which are connected with it. Moreover, it will help textile companies outside the consortium, to take ideas which they could adapt into their own organisations.

Results:

An online course on water footprint in the textiles sector.
Action plans to reduce water footprint.
Good practice guide.

Project Number: 2022-1-LT01-KA220-HED-000086367

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.