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Firm chosen for DEQ, SGMA Green Garments tie-up
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Posted on Jan 05 2005
A company has been selected to provide for environmental audits of garment manufacturing plants on Saipan, according to the Saipan Garment Manufacturers Association.
The association made the announcement soon after receiving word from the CNMI’s Division of Environmental Quality about the selection.
The Request for Proposal for the DEQ/SGMA Green Garments Partnership has been awarded to Tetra Tech EM Inc., from San Francisco, California. Tetra Tech now will await CNMI Procurement and Supply procedures for consummation of a contract, which was awarded through a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant.
DEQ and SGMA requested the grant funding in mid-2004 of EPA to conduct industry surveys, factory audits and preparation of an Industry Handbook for training for pollution prevention for the Saipan apparel industry.
The processing period could require a month, with pre-audit meetings and surveys of factories coming as early as March 21. Audits would occur as early as April, and the Handbooks would be generated with training starting in August or September.
The pollution prevention would come through seeking alternative cleaning products and supplies, proper handling and disposal of pollutants, recycling and solid waste control and education. The work will be focused on the manufacturing process, laundering, printing, industrial cleaning solvents and normal machine lubricants.
“We will proceed with this partnership with EPA and DEQ despite our trepidations about our future here on Saipan. We must stay committed to our original partnership with our host, the CNMI,” said SGMA chair James C. Lin.
DEQ’s Dave Hodges and SGMA’s Richard A. Pierce said they would work toward including pollution prevention education at the Governor’s 3rd Annual Health and Safety Conference for other industries in the CNMI. Plans are to seek EPA approval, and participation, in working with hospital administrators, automobile service and sales companies and CNMI hotels in addressing pollution prevention concerns within their jurisdictions.
