The aim of the Partnership Initiative was to improve wastewater management, in particular by collecting reliable wastewater data for brands and retailers. Launched in July 2020, the initial focus was on a discussion of requirements. Participants then developed materials for communication and support. Among other things, this resulted in a guideline that informs brand employees about the principles of wastewater management. It also presents measures designed to integrate ambitious requirements through purchasing practices.

During work within the Partnership Initiative, it became apparent that wastewater data at production facilities was often outdated, incomplete or of too little significance for any meaningful evaluation. There is therefore a significant need for action to make data from wastewater analyses publicly available and verifiable in order to comply with minimum requirements. A key aspect of this is how and how often data are collected (method and quality) and that they are combined with additional information about wastewater facilities. This is the only way to create transparency and thereafter decide upon improvement measures.

Members participating in the Partnership Initiative

Brands

adidas, Brands Fashion, BMZ, F3 Fashion Cube, KiK, Takko, Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC)

Standard setting organisations

OEKO-TEX®, Bluesign Technologies          

Initiatives and associations

Bundesverband der Deutschen Sportartikel Industrie (BSI), Gesamtverband Textil und Mode, 

Advisory members

Umweltbundesamt (UBA)

Further partners        

Universität Stuttgart, FABRIC (GIZ Projekt), German Fashion