Greenpeace suspects that the textile industry is substantially contributing to the extensive pollution of rivers and waterways in Zhejiang Province. Therefore, Greenpeace chose to take samples of the discharge of effluent from two major industrial zones: Binhai industrial zone (in Shaoxing) and the Linjiang industrial zone (in Hangzhou).
The Greenpeace investigatory report; 'Toxic Threads: Putting Pollution on Parade' released 4th December 2012, reveals that effluent from the Linjiang WWTP contains various toxic chemicals including carcinogens. The report also names the textile industry as an outstanding source of pollution in coastal Zhejiang Province which assumes more than a third of China’s dying and printing capacity and houses suppliers of global fashion brands such as Levi’s and Calvin Klein.