Green factories increasing in ready made garments sector
MUHAMMAD YEASIN
Keeping up with the growing demand for environment-friendly RMG products, the garments sector has rapidly started transforming its manufacturing units into green factories. This will help the country to grab more international orders and achieve USD 50 billion of export earnings by 2021.
So far, 35 garment factories from Bangladesh have received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the United States Green Building Council, according to the Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association.
Of the factories, nine have been conferred platinum status, 17 gold status, and seven silver status. The remaining two just received a normal certification from the US agency.
The nine platinum factories are Envoy Textiles Ltd, Plummy Fashions Ltd, Classic Fashion Concept Ltd, Next Accessories Ltd, Genesis Washing Ltd, Vintage Denim Studio Ltd, SQ Birichina Ltd, SQ ColBlanc Ltd, and SQ Celsius 2.
BGMEA sources said a total of 133 garments factories have applied for LEED certification from the agency.
LEED is a green-building certification programme that recognises best-in-class building strategies and practices. To receive this certification, building projects must satisfy certain prerequisites and earn points to achieve different levels of certification. The prerequisites and credits differ for each rating system, and teams choose the best fit for their projects.
Senior vice-president of the BGMEA, Faruque Hassan, said yesterday that the local manufactures have been focusing on building green factories to meet the growing demand of environment-friendly products in the international market. The process will preserve the environment from pollution and encourage international retailers to place more work orders, thus helping to achieve the vision of USD 50 billion of RMG exports by 2021. In response to a query, Hassan said green buildings have numerous benefits, including reduction of energy consumption by more than 24 per cent and water consumption by 50 per cent. Were facing many challenges. But were holding seminars, symposiums, and training programmes to upgrade the garments sector and overcome all hurdles, he added. If were able to continue our present activities, then we should be able to achieve our vision of USD 50 billion of RMG exports by 2021, he said.
Hassan said garments factory owners are more interested in transforming their old factories into LEED-certified factories or building new green factories to reduce health and safety hazards at the workplace as well as the cost of doing business. Such factories also increase productivity and create a brand image, he added.
