Financial Times

Hirdaramani green factory aims for Gold

 

Another garment manufacturer has opted to go green. ‘Mihila’, the green apparel factory of the Hirdaramani Group, is located in Agalawatta, 70 kms southeast of Colombo. Designed by architect Tilak Samarawickrema the factory aims to get the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, Green Building Rating System ) Gold Certification, for newly built facilities. “Mihila’, which gives the meaning of ‘Planet Earth’, is an apparel facility, which provides an excellent case study for environmentally sustainable development, especially due to its location,” said Mr Samarawickrema.

This custom built, state-of-the-art apparel factory, employs 1,000 workers and specialises in knitwear. However, the factory has reduced its energy consumption by 48%, its water usage by 70% and lowered its carbon footprint by 48% compared to similar facilities of its size.

To cut energy consumption, sunlight from prismatic skylights and solar panels are used for lighting and heating. The factory uses 126 solar panels to generate 5% of its total energy requirements. Instead of air conditioning, an evaporation cooling system, that requires only 25% of the energy consumed by AC, is being used. Fresh air is circulated all the time within the factory space.

All solid waste is separated into waste cut, polythene, paper and food waste and subsequently sold, so there is no burning of waste at site. All fabric waste cutting (5,000kg per week) is sold to cottage, toy and children’s garment industries. Kitchen waste is handed over to a nearby piggery.

Mr Samarawickrema also created a woodlot in the foreground of the factory consisting of about 200 indigenous trees. When the woodlot reaches maturity, Mihila will be enveloped in a verdant tropical landscape. Maximum use of the scenery, of lush green paddy-fields, has been made, creating panoramic views from within the factory.

MAS and Brandix went green last year. MAS built a new factory called Thurulie at Thulhiriya while Brandix converted an existing factory into a green factory at Seeduwa.

The IUCN – World Conservation Union - is partnering with the Hirdaramani Group to document the bio-diversity already present in the premises of the Mihila Factory. The IUCN is also involved in developing a monitoring mechanism to determine the overall environmental impact of this project.


 
Top to the page  |  E-mail  |  views[1]
 
Other Financial Times Articles
> Sri Lanka urged to find new export markets
> Extended April holidays for some workers
> F&G payment plan rejected, investor attempts to commit suicide
> Zero duty for Lankan goods in Pakistan
> Galleon sells JKH stock
> Rs 500 mln loan for Mihin
> CB calls for Seylan EOIs
> SMS alert from Passport office
> No end to Lanka's woes
> Regional imbalances are a normal process of development – World Bank
> Consolidation might be option for The Finance
> Asiri Surgical Hospital completes Stage II Expansion
> Benefits of cleaner production for hotels
> Asian Paints launches special effects paints
> Singer says confident of meeting re-finance needs
> Sinhaputhra Savings link up with ATMs
> Toss Lanka finds Norwegian partner from CCC match-making
> Hirdaramani green factory aims for Gold
> Banners to bags – cleaning up the system
> Good governance recommendations for primary dealers
> FM Derana launch today
> Lalith Peiris bids adieu to a 43-yr career with George Steuarts
> World Telecom Forum to be held in Sri Lanka
> Lankan tea exporters invited for Hong Kong Tea Fair
> New certification unit steps in to ensure safer food in Colombo
> Soon - First Islamic Bank in Sri Lanka
> Tourist arrivals’ statistics misleading
> ACCA emphasizes greater sustainability reporting
> Restructuring The Finance Company in three months
> SMLL divestiture will see Seylan Merchant high on liquidity
> HNB wins award for Best Retail Bank in Sri Lanka, 2008
> Golden Key repayment plan suspended
> IMF revamps lending and conditionality framework
> Increasing wages costly to plantation sector
> New lease of life for Atta Flour
> Neither GK nor the depositors are innocent
> Central Finance continues steady growth
> JWT duo bring international fame to Sri Lanka
> First two lucky winners drawn in Abans twenty-20 win win promotion
> Laws to govern not only golden and silver companies but also bronze companies
> SMS alert for passport collection

 

 
Reproduction of articles permitted when used without any alterations to contents and a link to the source page.
© Copyright 2008 | Wijeya Newspapers Ltd.Colombo. Sri Lanka. All Rights Reserved.| Site best viewed in IE ver 6.0 @ 1024 x 768 resolution