To Solve a Global Water Pollution Problem, ColorZen Starts at the Molecular Level
By Jessica Binns, Contributing Editor
For decades now, the international apparel and textile industry has faced a problem that may seem too big to solve: how to reduce or eliminate water pollution that's a direct result of the production process — especially the resource-intensive dyeing process.
The statistics are as familiar as they are disheartening: according to the World Health Organization, 1.1 billion people don't have access to potable water, which is the biggest single cause of illness and disease. The cotton industry produces 30 million tons of the fiber each year, and roughly 13 gallons of water are needed to dye just one pound of cotton. Indeed, of all fibers, cotton requires the most water for the dyeing process. And half of all garments produced annually are made from cotton.