Photo Credit: Maria Durleva. SMEP Programme Global textile systems are shifting in response to questions about the sustainability, sourcing, and environmental footprint of the fabrics we use. The textiles industry, valued at $1.6 trillion in 2023, is projected to reach $3.3 trillion in 2030, contributes to 2-8% of global greenhouse gas emissions and consumes about […]
While the specific figures on the contribution of organic waste to the Republic of Kenya’s gross domestic product (GDP) are not available, the economic potential of this waste is locally and regionally recognised and is growing. Large volumes of organic waste stem from agriculture, food and beverage industries, households, and commercial sources. In Nairobi, organics
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SMEP Projects: Spotlight on Bangladesh The Peoples’ Republic of Bangladesh is a target country within the SMEP Programme. In 2023, Bangladesh became the fastest-growing economy in the world, with a 7% average GDP growth over the past decade. Today, the country is the second-largest exporter of ready-made garments in the world, with the industry constituting
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The Green Tannery Initiative Baseline Survey Report This report serves as a critical deliverable of Work Package 1 (WP1) for the Sustainable Management of Emerging Pollution (SMEP) project. Its primary aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of the current status of the selected Ethiopian leather industry on key areas, including production and operational data,
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Getting started on leather due diligence A good practice guide for brands and retailers Over the past fifteen years, a growing body of voluntary standards and regulations has sought to strengthen expectations for businesses to conduct human rights and environmental due diligence (HREDD). These include the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the
Getting Started on Leather Due Diligence: A good practice guide for brands and retailers Read More »
As commodity‑reliant economies face growing demand for environmental and labour accountability, SMEs are combining traditional practices with adapted traceability solutions that fit local realities, helping them meet global trade rules, strengthen market access and protect livelihoods. At a tannery in Addis Ababa, Ethiopian and Indian project researchers are testing enzyme-based methods to replace harmful chemicals
From Traceability to Biotechnology Trade-led innovative solutions for sustainable leather Leather was one of the first materials used by humankind, alongside natural fibres. The leather industry involves some of the oldest examples of a circular economy, adding value to meat, primarily through by-products such as animal hides and skins from slaughterhouses, while solving a significant
A machine learning approach to wastewater treatment Gaussian process regression and Monte Carlo analysis Conducted under the SMEP-funded SAFECONOMY project, this study aimed to analyse the application of Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) modelling to improve the accuracy of degradation response predictions in wastewater treatment. Three crucial factors, i.e., catalyst (CFA–ZnF), oxidant (H2O2), and pollutant (MB)