RP-Department of Environmental Planning and Management

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Browsing RP-Department of Environmental Planning and Management by Author "Awino, Dinah"

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    Challenges and Opportunities for Green Transitions Adoption in Kenya's Textile Manufacturing Industry
    (Frontiers in Sustainability, 2025) Awino, Dinah
    Introduction: In the face of accelerating climate change as a result of fossils, the textile industry has been considered as a significant industrial contributor to global carbon emissions. In Kenya, this sector is responsible for approximately 56% of total industrial pollution, highlighting the urgent need for a transition to sustainable practices. This study, conducted between September 2023 and August 2024, investigates the opportunities and challenges presented in a green transition and practical eorts toward green transition in selected Kenyan textile mills, specifically at the Thika Cloth Mill and Rivatex East Africa company. Methods: Utilizing qualitative data analyzed thematically, the research explored demographic influences on sustainability eorts, revealing critical insights into the barriers and potential pathways for green growth in the industry. Results: Key findings include significant waste generation in spinning and processing departments, high water dependency, reliance on non-renewable energy sources like coal and firewood, and limited awareness of sustainability practices among industry players. Additionally, the sector faces di culties in sourcing natural fibers due to low domestic cotton production and climate change impacts. However, initiatives such as Rivatex’s establishment of a cotton farm, Thika Cloth Mills’ use of coee husks for biomass energy, and exploration of green dyes from natural sources indicate potential pathways toward sustainability. The study concluded that challenges such as ine cient waste management, heavy reliance on non-renewable energy sources, insu cient domestic cotton production, and limited awareness of environmental standards collectively hinder progress toward a greener sector. Discussions: The findings of the present study highlight the multifaceted challenges impeding Kenya’s textile industry from fully embracing sustainable practices. Issues such as ine cient waste management, heavy reliance on nonrenewable energy sources, insu cient domestic cotton production, and limited awareness of environmental standards collectively hinder progress toward a greener sector. While initiatives like Rivatex’s Bt cotton farming and Thika Cloth Mills’ use of coee husks for energy demonstrate steps toward sustainability, these eorts are sporadic and lack comprehensive industry-wide adoption. The absence of stringent environmental regulations and incentives further exacerbates the situation, allowing unsustainable practices to per