Better water management delivers efficiency, worker welfare and brand confidence

Incredible Fashions Ltd. (IFL) has embedded sustainability into its operations from the very beginning. Rather than adopting eco-friendly practices as an afterthought, sustainable water management has always been central to the company's ethos and operational approach.

This commitment was formalised through our pursuit of globally recognised standards, and in 2018, IFL earned LEED Gold certification. The LEED framework helped us systematically integrate water-efficient systems and practices throughout our facility. Our inspiration has consistently been the belief that responsible manufacturing must go hand in hand with long-term business sustainability, environmental accountability, and positive social impact. 

Our collaboration with WaterAid, together with our brand partner Lindex, is centred on a rainwater harvesting initiative at our facility. WaterAid plays a key role in providing technical guidance, and implementation support to ensure that the system is effective and aligned with broader water stewardship goals. The partnership allows us to go beyond compliance and infrastructure, and instead focus on meaningful, long-term impact that benefits both our operations and the wider environment.

The rainwater harvesting initiative has improved water efficiency within the factory by reducing our reliance on groundwater and optimising how water is used for non-potable purposes. Through roof-top collection, first flushing, filtration, underground storage, and managed aquifer recharge, rainwater is now systematically reused for various purposes around the facility. 

Beyond efficiency, responsible water management has strengthened worker well-being and reinforced trust with our brand partners. Photo: Courtesy

In 2025 alone, the system enabled the harvesting of approximately 2.97 million litres of rainwater, of which 2.19 million litres were reused within factory operations, directly offsetting groundwater extraction. In parallel, excess rainwater is recharged back into the ground through a dedicated recharge well, supporting long-term aquifer sustainability.

As IFL expands into textile wet processing operations, strengthening sustainable water management will remain a key priority. We are actively planning to implement a Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) effluent treatment system, which will allow us to treat and reuse wastewater within the facility, significantly reducing freshwater intake and eliminating liquid discharge into the environment.

These initiatives have had positive impacts across the factory. Improved water efficiency and monitoring have helped reduce wastage. Beyond efficiency, responsible water management has strengthened worker well-being and reinforced trust with our brand partners. 

Moreover, factory workers have benefited from these initiatives through improved access to safe, reliable water for daily use within the workplace. The use of harvested rainwater for handwashing, sanitation, and cleaning has improved hygiene conditions and supported a healthier working environment.

Not only that, as part of the initiative, water taps have been installed outside the factory premises to provide surrounding community members with access to clean water. 

By extending access beyond the factory boundary, the initiative reflects a shared-responsibility approach to water stewardship – recognising that industrial water management can play a role in supporting community well-being and improving access to safe water in the local area.

TBS Senior Staff Correspondent Reyad Hossain prepared the article based on a questionnaire sent to the author

Ashna Huq is the director at Incredible Fashions Ltd (IFL)