Brandix breathes life to World Environment Day with reforestation

UNDP in Sri Lanka Program Coordinator (Energy and Waste) Sampath Ranasinghe, Brandix Group Head of Engineering Ahamed Ilthimas and Forest Conservator Nishantha Edirisinghe 

Brandix celebrates World Environment Day 2022 with the reforestation of a 10-acre area of land in Rambukkana, Sri Lanka in partnership with the Department of Forest Conservation and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Sri Lanka. 

With care for the planet sewn into the very fabric of its business operations for over a decade and a half, the company continues its sustainability journey by planting 3000 ‘Gaaya’ trees on the land adjacent to the Brandix Essentials facility, in Rambukkana, with Department of Forest Conservation Forest Conservator Nishantha Edirisinghe, UNDP in Sri Lanka Program Coordinator (Energy and Waste) Sampath Ranasinghe, and Brandix Group Head of Engineering Ahamed Ilthimas also present at the event.

As a prerequisite for long-term growth and value creation for the business and its stakeholders, the company’s sustainability framework is anchored to the pillars of Air, Water and Earth. With care for its people, the communities in which it serves and the planet we live in at the core of all the company does, Brandix is driven by a purpose to champion sustainability. 

Speaking at the ceremony, Brandix Sustainability Environmental Engineer Vinura Jayewardene had this to say: “Forests hosts most of the Earth’s terrestrial biodiversity and the plants that grow within are instrumental in mitigating climate change, providing quality water and enabling habitats for many pollinators essential for sustainable food production. In this light, feeding humanity and conserving ecosystems are complementary and interdependent goals.”

Vinura spoke of the careful selection of the Gaaya plant for this reforestation as the fallen branches are popular firewood, supporting the community. “Given our current context in Sri Lanka with the prevailing energy and possible food crisis, there is no better time to play our part in giving back to the environment that, quite frankly, enables our very existence.”

Brandix has already demonstrated its strong commitment to sustainability, including with global benchmarks such as its factory in Batticaloa being recognised as the World’s first Net Zero Carbon apparel manufacturing facility in 2019, and the facility in Seeduwa being the World’s First LEED Platinum rated manufacturing facility in 2008.  

Green buildings such as these have a profound effect in tackling climate change, and on the quality of people’s lives too. Going even beyond the focus of reducing negative impact, the company is now embracing many new initiatives such as this reforestation project in Rambukkana that positively impacts the environment, in its multi-pronged approach for truly transformative action.

“With the world on ‘code red’ due to climate change, and loss to nature and biodiversity around the world, this year’s World Environment Day 2022 campaign #OnlyOneEarth calls for collective, transformative action on a global scale to celebrate, protect and restore our planet. UNDP in Sri Lanka has provided longstanding support to respond to the effects of climate change, and natural and man-made disasters, by exploring the potential of renewable energy while supporting reform and modernisation of environmental management systems and protecting our biodiversity. 

“Through the ongoing partnership with Brandix, we look forward to creating lasting impacts for a sustainable Sri Lanka that is built on a green development pathway,” stated UNDP in Sri Lanka Officer in Charge Malin Herwig. 

A deliberate move to regrow vegetation, usually lost due to human activity or natural calamity, reforestation helps bring back and preserves the balance in our surroundings. It is crucial to replenish the air we breathe by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere through carbon sequestration, in addition to improving biodiversity in wildlife habitats, and soil fertility.

As a leading apparel manufacturer catering to world renowned brands, Brandix strongly believes in leading the way in sustainable manufacturing through long-term initiatives that positively impact climate change for its business, stakeholders, communities, and the planet. 

In the road ahead, the company will continue to drive sustainable business growth by continuously benchmarking its operations against global best practices through multi-stakeholder partnerships and in alignment with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Brandix Group Head of Engineering Ahamed Ilthimas plants the first of 3,000 trees