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Environment

Sustainability · Environment

Environmental performance in manufacturing

Environmental priorities vary by company and manufacturing process. Across the member network, areas of action include energy efficiency and renewable energy, water conservation, waste reduction, reuse and recycling, reforestation and disaster-risk prevention.

The solutions are different for every operation, but together they show how environmental management can become part of more efficient and resilient manufacturing.

Industrial facility with solar photovoltaic systems in Honduras
Environment Energy · Water · Materials · Waste · Resilience
Environmental priorities

Different processes require different solutions

Environmental action reaches from the resources used inside a facility to the management of waste, water, natural resources and risks that can affect operations and surrounding communities.

Energy & renewables

Efficiency, solar, biomass and other renewable technologies have formed part of the industry's environmental transition.

Water stewardship

Treatment, conservation, reuse and process improvements are particularly relevant in water-intensive manufacturing.

Materials & waste

Prevention, material efficiency, reuse, recycling and recovery help reduce the impact associated with production and disposal.

Nature & resilience

Reforestation, resource conservation and disaster-risk preparedness extend environmental management beyond production.

Solar photovoltaic installation at a manufacturing facility in Honduras
Environmental action From renewable generation to more efficient use of resources
Industry examples

Environmental action in practice

Over time, manufacturing operations in Honduras have implemented projects ranging from renewable generation and efficiency upgrades to water conservation, waste minimization and reforestation. Expand each topic to explore selected examples.

Historical project context Some examples and figures below were originally published in 2020–2021. They are preserved as dated project snapshots and are not presented as current performance metrics.
Renewable energy Solar · biomass · biogas

Renewable-energy projects have taken different forms according to the scale, processes and energy requirements of each manufacturing operation.

Grupo Elcatex Biomass, biogas and solar technologies were integrated into the group's renewable-energy strategy.
Fruit of the Loom Honduras operations combined rooftop solar with biomass generation as part of broader environmental initiatives.
Hanesbrands Solar photovoltaic generation at a Honduras plant formed part of efforts to increase renewable electricity.
ZIP San José Rooftop solar expanded renewable generation while using existing industrial-building surfaces rather than new land.
ZIP San José · 2018–2021 snapshot At the time, more than 35% of the industrial park's energy consumption was reported as coming from renewable sources. The rooftop solar project reported 5,356.21 tons of CO₂ emissions avoided between October 2018 and May 2021.
Fruit of the Loom · 2021 snapshot The Honduras operation reported solar generation alongside a biomass plant with 125 million kWh of generation capacity and more than 160,000 tons of steam per year.
Energy efficiency Equipment · lighting · process optimization

Lower environmental impact can also come from reducing the amount of energy required by equipment, lighting and production processes.

Pinehurst Manufacturing In the period originally reported, more efficient use of natural resources produced a 21% reduction in energy consumption over three years.
Coats A 2020 project replaced 54W fluorescent lamps with 18W LED lighting in manufacturing areas.
Coats · 2020 project The lighting conversion reported more than 50% reduction in lighting energy consumption, improved illumination, reduced heat in the work area and annual lamp-replacement savings reported at US$31.5K.
Water stewardship Conservation · treatment · reuse

Wet-process stages of textile production can require significant volumes of water. Treatment and reuse help reduce pressure on water resources in both quantitative and qualitative terms.

Improved reuse systems and process innovation can reduce freshwater demand while allowing treated water to remain useful within appropriate production applications.

Resource-efficiency principle Water management is most effective when treatment and reuse are paired with process improvements that reduce freshwater demand at the source.
Materials, waste & recycling Prevention · reuse · recovery

Effective waste management begins before disposal. Better material utilization and production planning can prevent unnecessary waste from being generated.

Remaining materials can then move through appropriate segregation, reuse, recycling or recovery pathways instead of being managed as a single waste stream.

Integrated process efficiency Waste minimization can also reduce associated water, energy and chemical consumption, connecting material efficiency with broader environmental performance.
Reforestation & natural resources Forests · water · biodiversity

Reforestation programs have formed part of environmental initiatives within the manufacturing network for many years. Their value extends beyond carbon capture to water resources, soil protection and biodiversity.

ZIP San José · historical program The industrial park reported reforestation activities coordinated with local governments and municipalities, including the planting of 30,000 plants per year during the period described.
Beyond factory boundaries Tree planting and resource-conservation projects expand environmental stewardship into watersheds and communities surrounding industrial operations.
Renewal of the cooperation agreement for disaster risk management in Honduras
Risk prevention · 2026 A long-standing public-private approach to preparedness
Prevention & resilience

Reducing risk before an emergency occurs

Disaster Risk Reduction focuses on reducing vulnerability before natural hazards become disasters. For industrial operations, preparedness combines planning, trained people, workplace organization and coordination with emergency-response institutions.

Contingency & emergency planning Plans can integrate site conditions, building vulnerability and risks affecting workers and operations.
Workplace emergency committees CODECEL structures strengthen organized prevention and emergency coordination inside workplaces.
Industrial emergency brigades Training and certification develop workplace capacity to respond effectively during emergencies.
Public-private coordination Cooperation with COPECO connects industrial preparedness with the country's wider risk-management system.
2014 cooperation begins 2026 renewed Through Jan. 2030
Read the 2026 cooperation update
Environmental archive

A visual record of environmental initiatives

Selected photographs preserved from earlier environmental projects across manufacturing operations in Honduras. Click an image to view it larger.

Next · Social

Continue with people, workplaces and communities

Explore dialogue, workforce well-being, health, talent development, inclusion and community initiatives across the manufacturing network.

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