The textile production process in Bangladesh has long been associated with significant environmental challenges, particularly pollution affecting the Buriganga River that flows through Dhaka. Contaminants such as dyes, chemicals, and heavy metals have raised serious concerns about the ecological impact of the country’s garment sector. The tragedy of the Rana Plaza factory collapse in 2013, which resulted in 1,134 fatalities, further highlighted the urgent need for reform in an industry that has often prioritized profit over safety and sustainability.
However, a transformative shift is underway. Bangladesh has emerged as a leader in sustainable manufacturing practices, with a focus on ‘frugal’ factories that leverage resource-efficient technologies. Currently, the country boasts 268 LEED-certified garment factories, outpacing all others globally. Innovations such as safer chemical usage in dye plants, cleaner tanning methods in tanneries, and the adoption of energy-efficient practices—like LED lighting and solar panels—are becoming commonplace. For instance, at the Fakir Eco Knitwears factory in Narayanganj, skylights reduce energy consumption significantly, while AI-driven cutters enable the recycling of 95% of fabric scraps, underscoring the potential for local resources to foster a greener production model.
Despite these advancements, the $40 billion garment industry still faces significant challenges, particularly regarding labor conditions for its 4.4 million workers. Issues such as wage theft and delayed payments persist, with the minimum wage set at approximately $113 per month, far below the $200 advocated by labor unions. While improvements in factory safety have been made since the Rana Plaza disaster, experts like A.K.M. Ashraf Uddin of the Bangladesh Labour Foundation emphasize that a cultural shift is necessary for true progress. Additionally, smaller factories, which make up a large portion of the industry, often lack the capital to implement green upgrades, risking exclusion from markets that demand higher environmental and ethical standards, particularly in light of the European Union’s upcoming regulations. Thus, while initiatives like the Partnership for Cleaner Textile (PaCT) have begun to reshape the landscape, the path toward a truly sustainable and equitable garment industry in Bangladesh remains fraught with challenges.
Source: Bangladesh’s garment-making industry is getting greener via MIT Technology Review