1. Water Use and Pollution

• Sugarcane cultivation, which requires significant amounts of water (about 1,500 to 2,500 litres of water per kilogram of sugar), is a burden to regions with water shortages.

• During the processing, wastewater such as organic matter and chemicals is generated.

• Discharge of wastewater into water bodies reduces oxygen concentrations and destroys the environment for aquatic life and drinking water sources.

2. Air Pollution

• Sugar refineries and distilleries produce serious air pollution such as fine dust (e.g. sulfur dioxide).

• Incineration of by-products as an energy source worsens air quality.

• The practice of burning waste in open fields releases hazardous pollutants into the atmosphere.

3. Soil Deterioration

• Continued sugarcane cultivation depletes soil nutrients, reducing fertility.

• Soil degradation due to chemical fertilizers and pesticides leads to destruction of its structure.

For these various reasons, sugarcane cultivation can lead to deforestation, which brings risks such as loss of biodiversity and soil erosion.

1. Hard Labor

• Working in hot weather causes physical and mental distress to workers, including fatigue, anemia, and depression.

• During the harvest season, labor is done 16 hours a day for more than five months.

• Sugarcane supply chain management is carried out day and night.

2. Accident

• Traffic accidents result in injuries, disabilities and, in severe cases, death.

• Injuries such as fractures frequently occur due to carrying heavy loads.

3. Poor Facilities

• Poor facilities, including food, water and toilets, are provided to workers.

4. Insufficient Education

• Workers move with their children to work in sugarcane fields, and there are no schools for their children to receive education.

• Children who drop out of education are at risk of physical and sexual abuse and are forced to choose work over study.