10 | TRSA
nization has worked closely with the Envi-
ronmental Protection Agency in its drive for
continuous improvement. Some years ago,
there was concern about byproducts within
water run-off, but the industry worked with
the EPA to devise processes that filtered the
water from such impact. Ricci says, in some
cases, the industry even exceeds standards
proposed by the EPA. One case involves the
use of detergent additives known as Nonyl-
phenol Ethoxylates (NPE). Ricci says this
chemical may help make whites whiter and
brights brighter, but may not be so good for
marine ecosystems. Though NPEs have not
been banned by the EPA, the textiles indus-
try is working toward the elimination of this
additive in liquid and powder detergents.
“Our members have volunteered to phase
this out of detergents ... even though it isn’t
outlawed, we’re taking it upon ourselves to
do it, and we think of it as a win-win for the
industry, for consumers and the EPA.”
In terms of other environmental and sus-
tainable practices, Ricci says the TRSA is
helping study potential of alternative fuel in
the industry. To that point, given the range
of deliveries made by the textiles industry,
TRSA members collectively deploy the na-
