WASTE MINIMIZATION IN THE DYEHOUSE

The dyer has always been faced with choices regarding which dye to use and which application process to choose. In previous years, the cost of the dyeing process and the fastness of the dyeings obtained were prime considerations. Today these basic needs have been supplemented by the need for high productivity in the dyehouse together with an awareness of the environmental impact of the dyeing process used. Waste minimization has become an essential requirement and is increasing in importance, not just for environmental reasons but also in terms of the impact it makes on the total cost of dyeing. In this work the environmental impact and the effect on waste minimization is compared for several dyeing processes-batch, continuous and semi-continuous-and printing. Costs are compared by process for such factors as energy and water utilization, chemicals and dyes, effluent and shade reproducibility or level of redyes. Alternative approaches are offered to aid in selecting processes that offer both financial and environmental benefits.