Sustainability is an inherent element in our culture, it informs every choice we make as a business & manufacturer. Mihila was commissioned as the world’s first custom-built “green” apparel factory, and our decision in 2012 to go further by becoming a CarbonNeutral® factory was guided by our desire to set the tone for doing business in a manner that is environmentally positive.
Chamara de Silva, General Manager of Hirdaramani Knit - Agalawatta
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Hirdaramani Group’s Mihila factory has been a CarbonNeutral® manufacturer since 2012.
The CarbonNeutral Protocol defines the emissions that must be measured to become a CarbonNeutral manufacturer as: emissions from owned, leased or directly controlled equipment; emissions from electricity, heating, cooling and waste; and emissions from third-party transportation and storage of production related goods.
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Hirdaramani Group's programme is delivered by The Carbon Consulting Company, based in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The Carbon Consulting Company contracted the assessment of greenhouse gas emissions to an independent third-party. This included helping to gather the data, for example on the energy and waste from the factory.
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Having built its flagship Mihila eco-factory, Hirdaramani Group wanted to demonstrate its on-going commitment to reduce all the remaining unavoidable emissions.
It set a target for the factory to become a CarbonNeutral® manufacturer in 2012 which it has maintained ever since.
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The factory’s CarbonNeutral® manufacturer status was achieved in 2012 through:
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For Hirdaramani Group, sustainability is an essential part of its brand and the way it runs its business: 'An urgent need and heartfelt commitment to respect our precious planet while empowering our people and communities to live a healthy and fulfilling life.'
Hirdaramani's CarbonNeutral® manufacturer certification at Mihila factory is communicated widely to customers to support the facility's eco-credentials.
For instance, when Patagonia visited the factory it was an opportunity to demonstrate how both organisations are strongly committed to sustainable manufacturing and tackling climate change.
Staff from Patagonia - one of Hirdaramani Group’s clients - visit the Mihila factory.