The readymade garment (RMG) sector of Bangladesh has now 167 US Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified green factories, the highest in the world.
On August 27, Jeans Plus Ltd and Mehnaz Styles and Craft Ltd obtained the ‘Gold’ certificate from the USGBC.
According to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh’s RMG sector has taken the lead in green manufacturing with 50 in the platinum category, 103 in gold, 10 in silver, and another 4 LEED-certified factory buildings as of August 27.
Industry insiders said that the apparel sector of Bangladesh is now standing at the threshold of becoming the global leader by facing the growing challenges in the area of sustainability, climate change, groundwater depletion, efficiency, and many more.
Green Industrialization is one of BGMEA’s many initiatives to gain sustainability and take the industry to the next level, they added.
According to apparel manufacturers, the move towards green factory buildings helped to regain Bangladesh’s image after the Rana Plaza tragedy, which claimed 1,134 lives and left more than 2,000 injured.
Green factories also help to cut down the usage of energy by 40% and water consumption by more than 30%. It also emits less carbon which further ensures environmental safety, said the BGMEA officials.
Green buildings also ensure a safe workplace for workers as the factory owners have to follow certain rules for the construction of the buildings.
Speaking to the media, Mohiuddin Rubel, director of the BGMEA said that they are moving towards a sustainable and green infrastructure in the apparel sector.
“Now, Bangladesh has the largest number of green factories in the world and it is growing even more. More than 550 factories are in the pipeline to get LEED certification,” he added.
However, despite maintaining all the compliance, the pricing has not improved much.
“Buyers should now make sure that our apparel manufacturers get a fair price,” he added.
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