1. Alternative dyeing techniques and technology.
2. Effluent treatment after dyeing.
The effluent treatment requires additional capital investment and high treatment and maintenance costs. Therefore, the first approach is always preferable. There have been a number of options developed to overcome the polluted effluent problem of dyeing cotton fabric with reactive dyes. This paper reviews the options to improve sustainability of the dyeing process through development of reactive dyes, modification of dyeing machinery and processes, chemical modification of cotton fibre prior to dyeing, use of biodegradable organic compounds in dyebath formulation, and effluent treatment processes. The paper highlights the significance and limitations of these ways of improving sustainability in reactive dyeing, and processes the areas for further improvements.