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A report by The Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (LICADHO) has unveiled alarming practices in Cambodian brick factories. Waste materials from major international brands, including Adidas and Walmart, are being burned in kilns, harming workers.
Health Risks to Workers
Based on visits to 21 brick factories in Phnom Penh and Kandal province, as well as interviews with current and former workers, the report highlights the use of pre-consumer garment waste for fuel at seven factories. Apart from fabric, plastic, and rubber, other materials are also being burned, demonstrating an alarming cost-saving strategy.
According to Reuters, the report further reveals that several workers have experienced headaches and respiratory problems due to the burning of garment waste. Disturbingly, one worker reported feeling unwell during her pregnancies, reports Dev Discourse. Toxic substances, including dioxins known to cause cancer, are released during the combustion process if conditions are not meticulously managed.
An internal study conducted by the United Nations Development Programme observed that burning garment waste can release hazardous substances. Moreover, the ash resulting from this process may contain high levels of pollutants. These findings further emphasize the urgency to address this issue in Cambodian brick factories.
A 2018 report by UK academics from Royal Holloway, University of London, highlights that clothing scraps often contain toxic chemicals such as chlorine bleach, formaldehyde, and ammonia. Additionally, heavy metals, PVC, and resins used in dyeing and printing processes pose health risks to workers in brick factories.
Workers in brick factories have reported various illnesses, including migraines and nosebleeds, likely attributed to exposure to hazardous materials. The UK report solidifies the link between these health issues and the toxic substances present in the waste materials used for fuel in the factories.
Implicated Brands and Initial Responses
The LICADHO report identifies multiple brands involved in this troubling practice, including Adidas, GC&A, LPP's Cropp and Sinsay, Disney, Gap, Old Navy, Athleta, Karbon, Kiabi, Lululemon Athletica, Lidl Stiftung & Co's Lupilu, Walmart's No Boundaries, Primark, Reebok, Sweaty Betty, Tilley Endurables, Under Armour, and Venus Fashion.
Several companies, including Adidas, Primark, and Lidl, have announced that investigations are underway to address these concerns and take necessary action.
Adidas, one of the implicated brands, states that waste materials from their apparel suppliers must be disposed of responsibly. This entails either sending waste to government-licensed recycling centers or approved waste-to-energy plants, thereby ensuring air quality controls and regulation compliance.
Photo: Camilla Carvalho/Unsplash
