Replacing T8 lamps with LED lighting across leading to 50% power savings
Sustainability
Sustainability
Our journey towards Sustainability was not always an easy one. When we started two decades ago, all our products and processes were outsourced from other suppliers. Garment producers at the time seldom cared for sustainable manufacturing. Organic cotton was then unheard of and effluents from the dyeing factories were openly discharged into the water bodies, with no involvement from regulatory bodies. The rivers and lakes were left unfit for agriculture and affecting the local population that earlier depended on them.
Once Global Organic Textiles Standards (GOTS) came into existence in the year 2006 there had been some efforts towards going green and organic. Even then, many in the field were not really interested in purchasing GOTS certified products.
By 2010 the situation became worse with the mushrooming of hundreds of new dyeing factories. That was the beginning of the farmer's agitation towards the textile industry.
In 2011 the Madras High Court ordered many dyeing houses to close down unconditionally. In order to reopen, every factory had to prove that the processes and systems were 100% Zero Discharge. It took about 2 years for most of these factories to reopen and some of them who could not reconcile with the new system were permanently shut.
This total reset in minds and priorities paved the way for a Sustainable way of processing in Tamil Nadu the knitwear capital of the world.
At Effaa, we are proud to belong to this cluster being one of the most Sustainable mega processing center of the world. Buying organic or sustainable garments from us guarantees purity of material and processes and fair treatment and wages of the amazing people that make your clothes,
With an unwavering commitment to philanthropy and socio-environmental development, Effaa has been involved in social and environmental welfare development programs.
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“Centre for Learning” conducts training for vendors covering pattern making, quality, merchandizing and production management
Learning through practical case studies program
Trainings conducted for apparel manufacturers
Vendor training programs to attain international social compliance standards
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Care for the environment and sustainable development is one of our primary concerns. In Effaa we practice a culture of peaceful coexistence with nature and believe that we should give back more than we take.
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As part of its efforts to nurture individuality, and for making sustainability more visible and actionable, we conduct awareness campaigns for children on saving the environment to spread awareness about it to the communities.
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In Effaa, we believe that professional work can also be a life-giving reflection of our responsibilities and values for the society we are a part of.
From making donations to local disaster Relief funds to installing Drinking Water Coolers for students in schools, we are passionately committed to making changes through meaningful community work. We consider it our responsibility to serve the society we operate our business in, and give something back to create a better world around us.
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“Strong outside and strong inside” is a motto we follow. We take health and general well-being of all our employees very seriously and frequently arrange medical camps for them. We also regularly arrange seminars on health awareness, health hazards, safety, etc.
Women empowerment programs are regularly conducted by Effaa. The main objective of these programs is to make our female employees aware about POSH Act, prevention, reporting & self-defence.
Breast cancer awareness programs were conducted by Effaa.
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Considering employees as its biggest asset, the company conducted special training sessions for its Supervisory Staff aiming to increase their time management skills, and also to improve their behavioral skills on the working floor.
Sustainability is an exercise in both social and environmental well-being. At Effaa, we are dedicated to doing more good for people, the environment, and the economy through our business and supply chain.
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Healthy Business Unit is a project across four focus areas of a worker's employment journey.
Building Holistic Health – Addressing physical and mental health challenges to enable workers to thrive
Closing the Skill Gap – Training workers and managers in the skills they need to progress in their careers
Improving the Work Environment – Designing a safe and supportive workplace to improve the work experience
Unlocking Female Labor – Improving the engagement and retention of women in the paid workforce
Environmental Sustainability
At Effaa, we believe in responsible business growth by integrating environmental sustainability into the heart of our operations, at all stages of production. We improve our environmental performance through resource conservation and pollution prevention, so that we consistently achieve and operate at a higher resource efficiency.
Our vision is to be the most sustainable supplier of textiles and apparels for our customers.
Our strategy is focused on:
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Renewable Energy
Effaa aims to set up solar power plants. Our upcoming strategy aims to reach the goal of 100% of Effaa's power consumption to be generated by renewable sources by 2028.
In addition, we plan to invest in wind turbines, which would generate the equivalent of atleast 10.0 % of our total electrical energy consumption.
We have proposed to use agro-waste (biomass) or PNG-fired boilers. As a result, over 25% of the energy consumed in our units will be carbon neutral.
We propose to generate power through steam turbines, we will lower power consumption from other sources, leading to a reduction in GHG emissions.
Improving Energy Intensity
Across our operations, we have launched several initiatives and installed new technologies to reduce our energy consumption. These initiatives include:
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Replacement of clutch motors with servo motors in sewing machines
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Comprehensive air leak audits to prevent compressed air leakages
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Usage of occupancy sensors in sparingly used areas
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Flash steam recovery
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Self power generation from process steam
Green Building Design
Our proposed factories, since 2016, will be designed and built to harness sunlight to illuminate our shop floors. The architecture facilitates natural ventilation that reduces heat dissipation from electric lighting fixtures.
At Effaa, we recognize the significance of energy's dire impact on climate change. Investing in Green Building principles minimizes our energy consumption significantly in the long run. Green Building Design.
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Recycling and Reuse
Our vendor units use advanced effluent treatment plants (ETPs) provide a highly efficient treatment of waste water, enabling the recovery of good quality water to be reused in their production processes.
Domestic effluent (sewage) is also treated through Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) in all our supplier network units and reused in washrooms, for ash quenching, horticulture and dust control.
Most of our vendor wet processing units use treated process water, helping the facilities to achieve zero liquid discharge (ZLD).
We are continuously reducing our dependence on fresh water by improving our recycling and reuse efforts through better technology.
Improving Water Intensity
We are constantly researching, developing and introducing new technologies to become more water efficient and reduce consumption. Some of the recent initiatives by our vendors include:
Waterless washing technologies such as eFlow and Ozone
Use of efficient wash-off chemical
Condensate water recovery from boilers and dryers
Reverse Osmosis (RO) reject for screen and drum washing
Installation of aerators at water taps which enables up to 20% water savings
Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater harvesting: Rainwater harvesting systems in our proposed factories will help recharge groundwater levels.
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Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC)
We have been associated with suppliers who are active contributors for ZDHC. Most of our vendors have also developed single window chemical purchase procedure to prevent the entry of restricted (priority) chemicals in our operations.
Proper Storage and Handling
We work with suppliers who adhere to non-usage of restricted chemicals and have a strong governance system in place to ensure proper chemical management through regular audits, trainings and guidelines displayed across their factories. Their chemical management guidelines include proper chemical storage, chemical use, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) usage and selection, and emergency response training.
Going above and beyond industry standards, our vendor mills and several washing facilities are certified by OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, a globally standardized and independent testing and certification system.
Reduction in Chemical Use
We are constantly researching and finding ways to work with new vendors who reduce chemical use by substituting certain chemicals in the washing process.
Sustainably sourced materials used ny Effaa and its supplier network
BCI cotton
Organic Cotton: Global Organic Textile Standard and Organic Cotton Standards (GOTS, OCS)
Canopy Viscose
Certified Sustainable Viscose
Ecovera (Viscose)
Liva Eco (Viscose)
Recycled Polyester
Tencel
Hemp
A strong focus on sustainable material sourcing will enable us to use by 2026
25% sustainably sourced fabric used in garment manufacturing
30% sustainably sourced yarns used in fabric manufacturing at our venor mills
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Effaa’s Waste Management Policy outlines our efforts to minimize waste at the source, right from conceptualization and design, to how we use raw materials. We are mapping waste streams, creating traceability, and exploring circularity with industry partners. The two types of waste generated in garment manufacturing are called hazardous and non-hazardous. All our hazardous waste is disposed of by vendors authorized by the Pollution Control Board, and non-hazardous waste is sold to vendors who recycle, downcycle or upcycle it.
STTL
Supervisors’ Transformation to leaders
STTL is a soft-skills training program for line-level supervisors. Through modules such as problem solving, gender sensitivity, stress management, team management, amongst others, the objective of the program is to reduce harassment and improve line productivity.
Using this program we propose to train 50 % of the supervisors by 2028 and improve stock of soft skills, reduce attitriion, and increase the workers’ productivity in their lines, thus raising incomes and the probability of receiving incentive bonuses.
Skill Development
We propose to establishi training centers across the country to increase skills and the employability of rural populations, with a focus on increasing female labor force participation.
We have exploring establishment of partnership with reputed companies under government schemes such as Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector (SAMARTH) and Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDUGKY).
Human Rights
Our ambition as a company is to have a positive impact on human rights through job creation and advancement, especially for low-income women, and through development of communities where we operate. However, as a company we are aware that to ensure the security of human rights, we must put in place rigorous prevention and remediation systems.
Understanding that many of our workers had never been formally employed before, we have briefed our team to enable them to understand their rights, responsibilities and benefits at the workplace.• Topics that are briefed include
- Health and Safety
- Code of Conduct
- Pay and Benefits
- Facilities and Support services
- Committees and Suggestion boxes
- Grievance redressal mechanisms
- Leave and Holidays
Grievance Redressal Mechanisms
Several grievance redressal mechanisms are made available to workers to voice their concerns and complaints, such as worker-management committees, suggestion boxes, and helplines. However, we realize that with a growing workforce, we need to innovate and create more accessible and effective channels for workers to communicate with the units and company management. Therefore, we propose to created a tool that enables workers to share their suggestions, questions, and grievances with management in an way.
Training and Awareness
Effaa has worker-management committees to discuss various topics from grievances to the working environment. In addition, to ensure the effective functioning of worker-management committees, a holistic training has been designed for committee members on topics such as communication skills and HR policies. We have a robust Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Directive, and conduct regular awareness sessions for workers, supervisors, and middle management on sexual harassment, its prevention, and redressal mechanisms.
Corporate Social Responsibility
The intent to be part of the development of communities and protection of the environment has been intrinsically woven into the corporate ethos of Effaa since its inception. Over the years, we have been consciously developing our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives which are guided by the following core commitments:
To contribute to social, economic, and environmental development initiatives in the communities in which we operate and the society at large.
To ensure all CSR initiatives undertaken by us have a long-term sustainable and positive impact on marginalized populations.
Our initiatives are based on needs assessment, and consultation with communities and local governments.
Our focus areas and key initiatives:
Enhancing Education: Efforts to improve access, delivery, and quality of education. Our goal is to provide access to STEM labs to 500 children by 2030.
Public Health: Investments in infrastructure development, preventive care, and capacity building. We aim to extend maternal, menstrual, and reproductive health services to 2,000 women by 2028.
Environmental Management: Resource conservation, management, and enhancement. Our target is to plant 2,000 trees by 2028.
Community Management: Support to communities in need, such as migrant workers. We aim to support 500 migrant workers by 2028.
We propose to implement our initiatives on our own and also partner with expert organizations, specialized non-government organizations, and local implementation agencies.
We believe in the importance of social stewardship. We embrace our responsibility in the community where we exist to present a better tomorrow through our planet friendly operations. We create opportunities for the underprivileged and endeavor to fabricate a more impartial society, through support for programs in the areas of education, healthcare and rural development. To contribute to society by investing in meaningful endeavors we work with vendors who are continuously involved in eco-friendly activities to manufacture fabrics and clothing of world-class quality.
OUR PEOPLE
Our employees are our most important asset. We strive to be a people-first company, supporting and encouraging our teams to reach their full potential. We consistently provide learning opportunities to our employees, to enable them to grow within the industry. Effaa is an equal opportunity employer and considers the huge diversity of our employees an asset to our business. Within a strong culture of human resource management, we provide a support network that respects rights and nurtures continuous learning.
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Corporate HQ
Working at Effaa means working at India’s staff friendly employer and one of the most progressive apparel manufacturers in the world. We employ the best talent in the country across several disciplines and departments including: Operations, Marketing and Design, Industrial Engineering, Organizational Development, Business Intelligence, Environmental Sustainability, Laboratory, Manufacturing Excellence, Human Resources, and more.
Our offices across different locations offer a progressive work environment where we encourage and support personal initiative and innovation. Once you are part of the Shahi team we strive to provide constant learning opportunities that enable you to grow within the industry.
Personal & Professional Development
Effaa’s Leadership development wing engages its upcoming high potential leaders, at its various units. Over the years, Effaa has developed multifarious training and developmental initiatives that cover a range of development training courses that cater to the diversified needs of our employees. We offer courses on leadership, management, supervisory leadership, outbound experiential learning, life skills, behavioral and soft skills, multi-dimensional technical skills, and a series of strategic alignment sessions.
Our Specialized OD technical team caters not only to the technical advisory and training requirements but also supports our factories in implementing specialized technical projects aimed at improving output, quality, agility, systems, and processes.
We have institutionalized and streamlined many developmental initiatives through ‘Development Academy’. The Academy is housed in our Bengaluru Corporate Office, Unit 7. The facility is supported by experts from the industry.
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Production Units
Being an upcoming leader in the garment industry, we are committed to ensuring our employees are safe, comfortable, respected, and able to reach their potential.
Our employees and employees of our vendors undertake a huge range of roles across production units - from unskilled workers, who we train, to skilled tailors and engineers with years of experience.
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“The compliance culture at Effaa is driven by creating independence and neutrality of the reporting mechanism of this role/team. While collaborating with the diverse teams and obtaining value-adds from Brands and Retailers, the Compliance team strives to ensure adherence with all the standards involving workers and their well-being and ensuring that the operations are driven with a focus on sustainability”
We build a culture of accountability for enhanced levels of due diligence, in alignment with the Buyers Code of Conduct, law of the Land, and International Labour Standards towards Brand Protection under the domain of Compliance and our commitment to workers. A deep commitment to ethics is the prerequisite to all our operations:
Health and Safety,
Wages & Compensation,
Non-discrimination
Prohibiting Child Labour
Prohibiting forced labor
Promoting good working conditions.
Our endeavor is to eliminate zero-tolerance issues like sexual harassment and discrimination or any other serious aberrations which come under such scope.
Social Program for Labour
At Effaa proper frame of mind of the labour is of utmost importance..
Facilities and support services
Most vendor factories are equipped with Creches and Occupational Health Centres with all the necessary services and support staff.
Tie up with Medical centers, equipped with free medication, ambulance, and first aid services. Awareness to digital transactions for all staff.
Support in accessing all statutory benefits
Highly subsidized residential support to migrant workers in partnership with a non-profit organization specializing in workers’ rights.
It is proposed to have Human Resource team at all future units trained in basic counseling skills including behavior change, working with families, and group counseling.
Employee engagement, development, and cultural activities to enhance their wellbeing and skillsets. An independent Organizational Development team to focus on workers’ wellbeing and training.
Merit-based scholarships for employees’ children.