Exposing the textile industry’s role in polluting Mexico’s rivers.
Water is considered sacred in Mexican culture, yet it is under threat from many environmental pressures, including pollution to such an extent that people suffer from water scarcity. More than 70% of freshwater resources in Mexico are affected by pollution from all sources, and concerns about health effects from water pollution have led to conflicts in several parts of the country.
Mexico is one of the largest producers of denim in the world, and a major supplier to the US market. It is, therefore, an important country for textile manufacturing. As a developing country that is particularly susceptible to the effects of climate change, with many inequalities and inadequate regulations and enforcement, water resources in Mexico are especially vulnerable.
This investigation into textile manufacturing facilities in Mexico has found a wide range of hazardous substances in wastewater being discharged from two facilities. Both are involved in the manufacture and pre-sale washing of textile products in Mexico.
Download Toxic Threads: Under Wraps
Download the acccompanying Technical Report prepared by the Greenpeace Research Laboratories.