Explore how better chemical and wastewater management can reduce pollution, protect water quality & support healthier ecosystems.
Textile wet processing – including dyeing and finishing – can have significant impacts on water quality, ecosystems and surrounding communities when chemicals and wastewater are not effectively managed.
This Sustainability 101 webinar, delivered with ZDHC, will explore the relationship between chemical management, wastewater and nature, looking at how businesses can better understand and reduce pollution risks within textile supply chains.
The session will explore the pollutants associated with textile wet processing; the potential impacts on freshwater ecosystems, biodiversity and communities; and how effective chemical and wastewater management can help businesses move beyond basic compliance towards better environmental performance.
ZDHC will also introduce its practical approach, including the ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines and Gateway, alongside real-world examples of how brands and suppliers are using these tools to improve performance.
The webinar will cover:
· From water stewardship to water quality: understanding wastewater and pollution risks within textile supply chains
· How dyes, processing chemicals, heavy metals, PFAS and other pollutants can enter wastewater
· The connection between chemical management, wastewater pollution, biodiversity and communities
· How ZDHC's Wastewater Guidelines and Gateway work in practice
· How chemical transparency can support safer materials and future circularity
· Practical first steps for brands and suppliers looking to strengthen their approach and move beyond compliance
Whether you're beginning to explore wastewater and chemical management or looking to strengthen your existing approach, this session will provide practical guidance to help reduce pollution risks, improve water quality and protect nature across textile supply chains.
Audience:
This webinar is ideal for:
- Fashion brands and retailers sourcing through global supply chains.
- Sustainability, ESG and responsible sourcing professionals.
- Procurement and supply chain teams.
- Businesses developing nature, biodiversity, chemical management or water stewardship strategies.
- UK manufacturers interested in embedding ZDHC chemical/wastewater management into their operations and customer offering.
Speakers:
Lauren Zahringer, Market Engagement & Stakeholder Development Manager, ZDHC
As Market Engagement & Stakeholder Development Manager, Lauren is responsible for expanding and strengthening the ZDHC signatory community, as well as related special initiatives. She focuses on identifying new market opportunities and developing innovative strategies that enhance signatory value and elevate ZDHC’s leadership in sustainable chemical management, while leading the development of new initiatives and stakeholder engagements.
Prior to joining ZDHC, Lauren led Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and later Global Membership Development for Cascale from 2018 to 2022. She has acted as principal consultant for purpose-driven organisations, including PYM, the Conscious Investors Network, and Impact Hub Amsterdam. Lauren holds a Master of Science in Environment, Science & Society from University College London and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Marymount Manhattan College.
Stefan Seidel, Chief Impact Officer, ZDHC
As Chief Impact Officer, Stefan leads ZDHC’s overarching impact strategy, strengthening the connection between sustainable chemical management, practical implementation, and measurable environmental outcomes across global supply chains. Working closely with Signatories and the committed community, he focuses on turning shared ambition into measurable progress, ensuring the organisation's work delivers lasting benefits for people, communities and the environment.
Prior to joining ZDHC, Stefan led PUMA’s corporate sustainability function for 10 years after serving as global team head for the environment, regional sustainability lead for EMEA, and a compliance auditor. A strong advocate for industry-wide progress, he played a foundational role in creating both ZDHC, helping shape its collaborative approach, and the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action, where he co-chaired the Steering Committee for many years. Stefan holds a degree in Environmental Engineering and a Master's in Environmental Management.
Radhika Boargaonkar, Sr. Technical Associate, ZDHC
Radhika Baogankar is a Senior Technical Associate - Water Competence Centre based in Pune, India. She coordinates the development and implementation of ZDHC's water, wastewater sludge, and water-use initiatives, working closely with stakeholders to advance sustainable water management across the textile, footwear and leather value chains.
With over nine years of experience in water, wastewater, sanitation, and circular economy, Radhika has led technical projects, capacity-building programmes, and research initiatives across India. Her expertise spans decentralised wastewater treatment systems, water reuse, wastewater quality, environmental assessments and sustainable resource management. She actively contributes to international research and professional networks focused on advancing sustainable water solutions. She is the Chain or the International Water Association (IWA), Young Water Professionals and represents India on their global platform.
Lewys Isaac, Water Stewardship Manager, Primark
Lewys Isaac is Water Stewardship Manager at Primark, where he leads the company’s 2030 water strategy across a global supply chain. His work focuses on reducing Primark’s water footprint, improving water quality, strengthening effluent treatment and reuse, and scaling basin-level stewardship across water stressed supply chain regions. By connecting strategy with on-the-ground delivery, he helps translate sustainability ambition into practical systems, governance, and measurable environmental impact.
With over a decade of experience across water, wastewater, and energy, Lewys has worked in the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. His career spans industrial water management in oil and gas through to WASH programmes supporting vulnerable communities, giving him a whole-system perspective from source to discharge.
He brings together technical depth, commercial insight, and a passion for transformation, with a particular interest in how emerging innovation can accelerate more resilient and responsible water management within the apparel and textile sector.
S M Rayhan Hossain, ZDHC
As Country Manager - Bangladesh, Rayhan oversees the large-scale rollout of ZDHC tools and services and drives stakeholder engagement, with a strong focus on the AFD project. He works with brands, vendors, manufacturers, and chemical suppliers to advance adoption of the ZDHC MRSL Sustainable Chemical Management Framework. Rayhan also works closely with industry leaders, regional stakeholders, and global partners to represent ZDHC.
Prior to joining ZDHC, Rayhan spent more than eight years with Benetton, where he led sustainability and compliance programmes implementation across APAC supply chain facilities. He has also held key positions with solution providers and consulting firms for over seven years. Rayhan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, a Master’s degree in Environmental Sciences and Management, and diplomas in Social Compliance and Garment Business.
ABOUT THE SUSTAINABILITY 101 SERIES:
UKFT’s Sustainability 101 series provides practical, industry-specific guidance to help fashion and textile businesses navigate key sustainability topics and understand what they mean in practice. Through webinars, guides and supporting resources, the series covers areas including standards and certifications, green claims, due diligence, chemicals, climate, water and nature, helping businesses build their knowledge and take practical action.
Note: This webinar can be watched back on demand and accessible to UKFT Members only.
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