As part of its overall efforts to become more sustainable through
the use of recycled polyester and other sustainable raw materials, Everest, the Taiwan-based fabric producer reveals that it also reduced its carbon footprint by 14,422 tons in the 12 months to the end of 2007.Over the past two years Everest has looked to differentiate itself from other fabric manufacturers in the region by developing a new approach to eco-friendly production – the ‘Everest Sustainability Model’ – in its three production plants in Taiwan, Shanghai and Thailand.
During 2007, the company made significant adjustments to its manufacturing process which included improvements in heat recovery which resulted in energy savings. Compared to 2006, Everest says it used 2.1% less electricity, saved the use of 160 tons of liquefied petroleum gas (down 16.6%) and reduced its use of fuel oil by 3,745 kilolitres (down 11.7%). Water consumption in Everest’s manufacturing process decreased by 40% in 2007.
This equates to “a reduction in our emissions of CO2 by 14,422 tons,” said the company, “furthermore, the new low cost power source equipment [being] installed will be finished by this year, with this long-term investment, and we expect the energy efficiency would be increased by over 10%.
Everest has calculated that these saving are equal to the planting of 31,016 trees or enough to offset one month’s carbon emission from 20,000 Taiwan families.