An innovative WWF-backed initiative is helping to improve water use and reduce pollution in Turkey’s Büyük Menderes river basin – home to two globally important wetlands.
The WWF-Turkey and South Aegean Development Agency (GEKA) programme helps textile companies to adopt processes that use less water, chemicals and energy, and reduce solid waste and wastewater. Just one year since its launch, the programme has inspired seven companies to invest €6.5 million in production techniques that save 1.5 million cubic metres of water a year – and encouraged 12 more textile producers to commit €3 million to investing in cleaner processes.
Four fashion brands – Altınyıldız, Boyner Group, Koton and Yünsa – have also joined efforts, pioneered by H&M and strengthened by the involvement of Inditex (Zara), to transform water usage in the river basin.
These efforts are inspired by WWF’s global efforts to find bankable projects that both protect nature and are good for business. In addition to the environmental benefits, cleaner production helps companies reduce production and waste-management costs, comply with environmental regulations, align with the demands of multinationals, and increase brand value.