The readymade garment industry of Bangladesh has the highest number of US Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified green garment factories in the world.
According the latest information of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), the number stands at 157, and nine out of the world's top 10 green garment factories are in possession of Bangladesh.
The country has reached a unique height due to the establishment of eco-friendly green garment factories.
The sector’s concerned are saying that the establishment of green factories shows strong commitment to the environment.
They are seeing this green transition as a step towards achieving environmental sustainability. This
move has also helped regain Bangladesh’s image after the Rana Plaza tragedy in 2013.
Abdullah Hil Rakib, Managing Director of the platinum rated factory 4A Yarn Dyeing and also one of the directors of BGMEA, told Bangladesh Post, “Factory owners have a responsibility towards the environment. If we keep polluting the environment without any consideration, the next generation will not be able to survive on this planet.”
He further said that steps should be taken to ensure that all the factories to be built in the near future are eco-friendly.
At present there are 47 platinum rated, 96 gold rated, 10 silver rated, and four certified factories in the country. 40 out of the world’s top 100 green industrial projects are also in Bangladesh and 500 more factories are in the process of getting LEED certification.
LEED certification is a rating system that reviews a factory’s green initiatives that include sustainable site development, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere conservation, materials selection and resources, indoor environmental quality, innovation, regional priority and integrative process credits.
Talking to Bangladesh Post, Laila Group Managing Director and owner of a gold rated factory, Imranur Rahman said, “We have built the green factories in the country at our own initiative to protect the environment. It is definitely a matter of pride for our country that we have the highest number of green factories in the world. However, we are not getting fair prices from the international buyers despite meeting their demand for eco-friendly factories.”
The green factories help reduce the usage of energy by 40 percent and water consumption by more than 30 percent.
Green factories emit less carbon and as a result cause comparatively less harm to the environment.
BGMEA Vice President Md Shahidullah Azim told Bangladesh Post that eco-friendly factories save energy and water consumption.
“Factory owners have constructed green factories to protect the environment and to develop the image of the RMG sector of our country. Buyers always look for green factories in terms of placing orders, but when it comes to price calculation, they are reluctant to pay fair prices,” he said.
