“Clean by design” program

The program was initiated by the Apparel Impact Institute (Aii) in 2018 under the original name of “Race to the Top Program.” Since 2021, Aii has collaborated with the Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH) and changed the program name to “Clean by Design”.

The project aims to reduce the global textile industry’s environmental impact by implementing energy-saving and resource-efficiency solutions, enabling businesses to lower costs while significantly reducing their environmental footprints.

• Service to be provided 
  
• Conduct on-site assessments on RECP and Energy Efficiency (EE), focusing on the production line systems and related areas at textile and footwear factories;
• Guide and support factories in selecting proposed RECP and EE solutions, thereby developing and implementing corrective
  action plans;
• Organize mid-term meetings combined with remote technical consultations via phone or email to support facilities in implementing the proposed solutions;
• Propose additional solutions identified during subsequent on-site assessments;
• Prepare reports that provide detailed analyses of opportunities found to improve productivity, promoting RECP and EE implementation for businesses, to be shared with Aii, factories, and brands; and
• Issue participation certificates for the “Clean by Design” Program to facilities that have completed the program.

Activities

In 2024, VNCPC continued to conduct RECP and EE assessments and consultancy for the remaining factories under the “Clean by Design” Program. With 5 factories completing the program and receiving participation certificates, key outcomes achieved include:

• Estimated total cost savings of approximately USD 3.7 million/year through the implementation of RECP, EE solutions and the installation of rooftop solar power systems;
• Estimated total electricity savings of 37,402,108 kWh/year, including if facilities implement the solar renewable energy solution;
• Estimated savings of 1,063,402 m³ of water/year and a reduction of 246,757 m³ of wastewater/year;
• Estimated reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of approximately 31,351 tons of CO2 equivalent/year;
• Estimated consumption reductions of approximately 8,940 tons of steam/year, 31 tons of LPG/year, 1,277 tons of coal/year, and
  229 tons of heavy oil/year.