Contributor, The Textile Industry and the Environment, UNEP

POLlCY, MANAGEMENT AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK 73
downstream from chemical processing equipment). Likewise managers must procure stack monitoring
kits and equip a wet analysis laboratory 10 analyse routine parameters such as BOD, COD and suspended
solids, etc.
In addition to adequate planning and infrastructure, it is necessary in most operations to employ a
full-time professional environmental team or train senior staff and workers to undertake monitoring
and environmental audit tasks. Commitment to this exercise and participation by top managers helps
to establish a sound environmental management system. In most cases it will also improve the productivity
and hence the prosperity of the company.
Careful auditing and an accurate materials balance often identifies room for improvement and cleaner
production options (see Section 4.0). Some of the strategies identified can be "low cost, low waste"
solutions effected through improved housekeeping, equipment re-conditioning and better mechanical
maintenance. Other observations may show how optimisation of various sequences (especially
washing) or changes in process operating parameters (e.g. in batch dyeing) will deliver savings.
The key point here is that managers must have baseline data for similar operations in other industries
against which to compare and interpret the results of their own materials balance work with an open
mind. They must also allow discussion between staff and encourage team members to bring forward
innovative ideas. These ideas must then be evaluated from a technical and economic perspective because
they mUSt lead to cleaner production without impairing productivity and product quality. For
reference sources on process auditing and cleaner production, see Annex A.
After exploring options fully during an audit exercise, the next step should be to check the adequacy
of pollution control equipment for residue handling. This must be done by evaluating each residue
stream individually, in order to develop a strategy of separate or combined handling.
The performance of the control equipment in relation to the environmental standards must also be
evaluated. For example, the boiler stack height mllst meet the minimum requirement imposed by
regulation and ensure satisfactory pollutant dispersal; the pre-treatment of the effluents especially
with respect to pH, temperature and toxic substances must be achieved with a sufficient margin of
safety to protect the performance of the main biological effluent treatment unit; the proper supply
of chemicals (e.g. for oxidation, precipitation and pH correction) and materials (such as activated
carbon) must also conform to environmental standards. If the supplies are uncertain, adequate storage
must be allocated to cover emergency requirements.
• 6.3 ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS
The limits on liquid effluents, gaseous emissions, noise levels and solid wastes have always been a
dynamic phenomenon but in general they have been made increasingly specific in recent years to enhance
environmental protection standards.
Limits are generally made specific to each industry and discharge location but differ bet ween countries.
Normally, the standard quantitative limiting parameters for textile effluents are flow, BOD,
COD, suspended solids, pH and temperature. In some cases additional parameters are specified such
as colour and chromium. Rules for air emissions refer to concentrations or mass emissions of particulates,
sulphur dioxide and in some instances to specific VOCs. Solid waste regulations a("e normally
prescriptive and generally refer to the safe disposal of empty chemical bags, rejected barrels and used
cleaning materials. Table 14 shows a typical compilation of discharge standards in several countries
for the textile industry.
The federal requirements in the USA and Canada are framed in terms of pollution load per unit weight
of fibre processed rather than absolute concentrations. Different requirements apply for the '{arious