ASEAN textile-producing nations unite to reduce chemical waste

The governments of Indonesia and Vietnam, together with Bangladesh and Pakistan, have joined forces to fight chemical pollution, launching a joint US$43m programme to manage and reduce hazardous chemicals in their textile industries.

Employing more than 10m people, the four countries’ textile sectors account for nearly 15% of global clothing exports. However, the economic benefits of the industry come at a cost, with the sector being one of the world’s major users of persistent organic pollutants and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a family of around 12,000 synthetic chemicals that do not break down and accumulate in the environment, threatening human and ecosystem health.

For the full story, see the November 2022 edition of Textiles South East Asia.

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Image: UNEP


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