Global Mamas Fair Trade Zone
︎Ashiaman, Tema, Ghana︎Akuse, Ghana
︎2017-present
︎Partners: Global Mamas, Moringa Connect
︎Funded by: Global Mamas
Willow works with Global Mamas small-scale batik co-operatives to meet legal environmental standards for the safe disposal of batik waste water into the ground or public waterways.
Global Mamas is a women-led fair-trade company based in Ghana, working to enhance the socio-economic lives of women across Ghana through the circular production and sale of fair trade handicrafts. It is made up of over 400 skilled craftswomen (95% women) in seven co-operatives around the country.
Towards the production of high-quality textile products, Global Mamas uses a diverse range of dyes for batik production which are known to have high color, high concentration of metals, sulphide, salts, high alkalinity. Due to the resilient chemical structure and nature of the range of dyes used, the disposal of batik effluent often contains dye residue and toxic components in the effluent stream. When mixed with water, the resultant dye effluent is highly toxic with high COD (chemical oxygen demand), high BOD (biological oxygen demand), high percentage of dissolved solids, high heavy metal content and high pH. When discharged into local waterways, it can cause foul odors and strong artificial colors.
Phase 1.
In 2017, Willow developed a pilot effluent treatment prototype for the Global Mamas production facility in Ashiaman, Tema. The proposed treatment system for Global Mamas’ batik wastewater leverages and the performance of widely available and thus affordable moringa agricultural by-product flocculants. Furthermore, the project evaluates the outputs of wastewater treatment including toxicity and sludge volume production, thereby improving resource management and economic feasibility for small-scale batik enterprises.
In order to ensure widespread use and adoption, the design of the treatment system engages skilled batik workers in the process of codesigning batik wastewater equipment. The ease of use for the treatment system specifically integrates best practice ergonomic design to address common health and safety problems like back, waist and respiratory problems documented among batikers.
2021+
Based on the cumulative performance and evaluation of distributed pilot batik wastewater treatment system, Willow is working with Global Mamas to scale up and centralize the treatment of such batik waste in the new Global Mamas Fairtrade Zone. The Global Mamas Fairtrade Zone (GMFTZ) is circular production, training and residential campus for Global Mamas’ women enterprises based in the Volta Region, Ghana.
Featured Links:Global Mamas Global Mamas Fair Trade Zone Design
Breaking Ground at GMFTZ