Huntsman Textile Effects has mobilised more than a quarter of its 3,000 strong associates at major facilities in eight countries to promote environmental sustainability through community activities.

Clocking over 1,500 hours, this ‘Sustainability in Action’ initiative is the company’s latest global effort to support its ‘we see a better world’ focus.

Latest initiative

“As a leading supplier of dyes and textiles chemicals, Huntsman Textile Effects recognises that we have a responsibility to not only create value for our stakeholders today but also make a sustainable and vibrant world possible for future generations,” said Paul Hulme, President of Huntsman Textile Effects.

“In our latest initiative, Huntsman Textile Effects associates around the world have customised activities to meet the specific needs of their local communities. By showing what sustainability looks like in action, we are making a difference and celebrating environmental sustainability as a way of life in our workplaces and homes.”

Commitment to sustainability

Since the textiles sector is a major global user of fresh water, water conservation and contamination prevention are key focus areas for Huntsman Textile Effects. This can be seen in its contribution to industry collaborations such as the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals Group and in the revolutionary products that it develops, as well as its community-based projects.

“Huntsman Textile Effects’ approach to sustainability is grounded in the belief that individual actions have the power to bring about extraordinary change when we all work together. This is also a central tenet of WED,” Hulme said.

Sustainability programmes

The latest ‘Sustainability in Action’ projects organised and conducted by the local Huntsman Textile Effects teams include tree planting, beach and park clean-ups, recycling and waste disposal campaigns and community talks, as well as internal workshops and sustainability programmes.

Most of these activities are being carried out during June and July in support of World Environment Day (WED) 2014, which falls on 5 June, with recycling and waste disposal projects continuing throughout the year.

Action for the environment

A UN public outreach programme to encourage worldwide awareness and action for the environment, WED, celebrates the cumulative effect of an individual effort. The Huntsman Textile Effects WED 2014 initiatives include:

• Tree planting in Atoto, Mexico; Baroda, India; Bogota, Columbia; Guatemala City, Guatemala;  Istanbul, Turkey and Mahachai, Thailand;
• Hazardous household waste collection and safe disposal drives in Atoto and Bogota;
• Recycling initiatives in Guatemala City, Istanbul and Singapore;
• Community clean-up projects in Charlotte, USA; Panyu, China; and Singapore;
• Community education programs in Baroda, Bogota, Istanbul and Panyu.

The 2014 Sustainability in Action programme also promoted a global Bring Your Own Bag (BYOB) initiative to reduce use of disposable plastic bags, which are not only a drain on resources but also a cause of pollution in waterways and oceans.

For more information visit huntsman.com