Environmental policy at MASCOT's own factories

About 75% percent of the workwear that we send out to our customers is produced at our own factories in Vietnam and Laos. We comply in full with the environmental policies put in place by the local authorities and industrial zones where we work, in addition to the environmental aspects in SA8000.

The environmental policy is therefore based on documents that concern occupational safety, environmental indexes and risk assessments, as well as the SA8000 handbook under Social Accountability SA8000: 2014, which gives us practical methods to control and manage both normal waste and hazardous waste.

Our factories are certified in accordance with SA8000 by Social Accountability International (SAI), www.sa-intl.org.

Government regulations

The Ministry for Natural Resources and Environment regulates environmental issues in great detail: hazardous waste, normal waste, periodic environmental reviews, report plans, environmental risk assessments, etc.

Policies at the industrial zones

MASCOT's factories are located in official, established industrial zones that have been approved by the state ministries in Vietnam and in Laos. These zones all have their own policies and controls regarding waste management. Wastewater treatment is undertaken by the industrial zones themselves and monitored by environmental agencies. MASCOT monitors the wastewater produced (household waste and industrial wastewater for laboratory testing) as well as levels of water consumption.

MASCOT's waste management

Normal waste

All normal waste is classified and sorted into different containers: fabric, paper, threads, damaged pallets, damaged cardboard boxes (only if they are so damaged that they are impossible to reuse) and parts from damaged equipment with no dangerous components. Everything is sorted and prepared for collection by certified waste management companies 2–3 times per week in accordance with detailed procedures. Other types of normal waste, such as food waste and leftovers, are also processed in accordance with detailed procedures. All waste management is monitored and the management team is notified as soon as any deviations or irregularities occur. All waste that is suitable for recycling is collected by companies that we have contracts with and processed for reuse. For example, all fabric scraps that have been trimmed away in production are collected for recycling. All recyclable waste is recorded in a report that is divided up into different materials: cotton, nylon, rags, paper, composite and wood. Everything is reported separately.

Hazardous waste

The amount of hazardous waste produced at MASCOT's own factories is limited given that the production is mainly focused on sewing. All hazardous waste is classified and sorted into separate containers: discarded oil, rags or materials that have absorbed hazardous waste, metal containers including containers with paint residues, ink, medical waste (including sharp objects), discarded batteries, discarded electronic components and electronics in general.

Hazardous waste containers are clearly marked with labels which indicate their contents in English and Vietnamese/Lao. Only persons who are trained in the management and collection of hazardous waste are authorised to collect and manage such waste and to transfer it into waste containers. Trained security representatives are responsible for checking the waste containers and carefully monitoring quantities, and they are also responsible for the transfer of hazardous waste to an authorised waste collector.

Working environment

MASCOT has fibre and dust reduction systems in place. The workplace is kept neat and tidy and is cleaned continuously over the course of each working day. The working temperature is regulated by air conditioning for a maximum indoor temperature of 27ºC and a humidity of 65 percent, and there is good ventilation in place as well. Noise is measured and kept at an acceptable level. MASCOT trains all of its employees in how to save water, energy and paper and in how to keep the workplace safe and tidy.