THE BRANDIX ECO CENTRE, SEEDUWA
In Sri Lanka we rarely find either individuals or corporate bodies working towards the well-being of the environment. However, the Brandix group of companies have from inception been a forerunner in addressing social and environmental issues in this country.
With the latest trend being “Go Green” in the rest of the world, Brandix decided to roll out this Green Initiatives to most of their manufacturing locations over the next five years, at an enormous expenditure to them. The directors of Brandix set their standards as the highest the world has seen for their initial project, being the Seeduwa Casualwear Plant.
As a testament to their dedication Brandix received the world’ s first across all sectors, with its Green Factory in Seeduwa becoming the first apparel manufacturing facility in the world to be rated Platinum under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System of the US Green Building Council (USGBC).
The 30 year old factory of 130,000 square-feet Brandix Eco Centre achieved a score of 76 on the 85-point (highest ever achieved) LEED certification system, setting a global benchmark for low energy consumption, water conservation, solid waste management and low carbon emissions. It is the only converted Green Factory on the planet to receive the Platinum rating, the highest standards in eco-friendly manufacture.
The conversion costing US $3 million achieved a reduction of carbon emissions by 80 per cent, energy saving of 46 per cent, reduction of water consumption by 58 per cent and zero solid waste to landfill, eco-friendly indicators as yet unmatched by any re-designed Green Plant anywhere in the world.
The latest screw-type chiller unit provides energy-efficient air-conditioning for the entire factory consisting of three sewing plants. Special prismatic material used for skylights in the roof allows only the passage of solar light without the accompanying heat. Sophisticated new light emitting diodes used as task lights provide light at needle point, supplementing the natural light provided by the skylights. Bay lights are used only on cloudy or rainy days.
A rain water harvesting system and a series of measuring were introduced to reduce water consumption through recycling. A tertiary filtration system and a disinfection process allows the used water to be recycled again for toilet flushing and gardening.
The green areas in the gardens have been increased substantially and an indoor green courtyards introduced to the plant provide all occupants with the stipulated view of green areas.
Transportation within the premises is by electric car to eliminate use of fossil fuel inside the plant. An advanced intelligent building management system controls relative humidity and carbon dioxide levels to improve comfort levels for workers.
Archt. Indika Samarasinghe