Bangladesh is the first country to have 150 US Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified green apparel factories.
It is also the second top readymade garment (RMG) exporting country with the world’s highest number of green RMG factories. This sector comprises nearly 85% of the total exports and 11.2 % of the real GDP, which significantly impacts its socio-economic development and is eventually considered the main driver for sustainable development. Green garment industrialization is a bold demand from different stakeholders and a proper initiative to achieve sustainable industrial progress. However, it incurs massive investment in fixed cost and technical upliftment that may put the factories in challenges from internal and external competition.
According to the World Green Building Council, a green building is a building that, in its design, construction, or in operation reduces or eliminates negative impacts and can create a positive impact on our climate and natural environment. Materials, energy management, water management, and health components are its main elements.
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) developed a process to identify and measure a green building site for sustainability. In the building industry, it is well known as a LEED green building ranking system. The overall ranking methods are accord-based, driven by the market, and voluntary (USGBC, 2009). There are four key steps to get LEED certification such as register, verify, inspection and certify.
A green or sustainable factory increases the efficiency of energy, water and materials used. It results from a design that conserves resources and reduces negative impacts on human health and the environment throughout the building’s life cycle – from construction and operation to renovation and removal. Green buildings can save you money, increase the productivity of your personnel, enhance your company’s financial valuation and contribute to demonstrating your commitment to sustainability.
The other direct benefits that green buildings bring are enhancement of the image of the factory, protection of health, workplace safety, and higher productivity of the workers. With the unique architectural design, a LEED-certified factory building ensures fewer industrial accidents, like fires, causing fewer casualties.
“We all must come forward & contribute towards the well being of our world. We should try to save energy & water, consider recycling & re-using for the betterment of our Earth. Being conscious & responsible towards the environment is a must.’’ says Mr.Imranur Rahman, Managing director of Laila Group.
The RMG industry in Bangladesh is dominated by three primary energy sources like diesel power, grid power, and natural gas.The green factories are reusing exhausted generator gas to run other heavy machinery, which reduces the high use of energy throughout the year.The heating devices there are connected with the factory boiler to reuse the heat from chimney gases to increase the feed water temperature .Consequently, the factory requires low energy, and it also increases overall boiler efficiency. To ensure the best use of energy, green factories use LED lights, daylights, servo motors, and eco-friendly machinery. S M Monirul Islam, CEO, IDCOL confirmed that the garment industry’s energy-efficient activities would strengthen productivity and competitive advantages.Besides, to guarantee the optimum use of water, green garment factories are using the water treatment plant, water tracking system, water-efficient urinal, water-efficient toilets, reusing the basin’s water in toilet flushing, etc. Moreover, they are focused on ensuring the best use of water-efficient technologies in the whole factory to maintain green industrial production and keep the environment safe. Textile industry needs a high quantity of groundwater, and rainwater harvesting is a potential source of groundwater utilization. Bangladesh has a long period of rainy monsoon season. Bangladeshi green garment processing plants are reserving rainwater in a systematic process and storing water.
Production of renewable power facilities is considered as an essential credit point for achieving green factory certificates. .
A green garment factory helps economic growth and employee benefits. It also contributes to eliminating the poverty level in the community. For instance, there is a significant work opportunity in the plastic business in Bangladesh. However, it is considered an informal job sector. A green factory can be a source of good earnings, which will improve job conditions and more productivity. Bangladesh has the highest global market share in the solar home system. It shows the opportunities and people’s interest in using renewable power in Bangladesh.
A green garment factory’s economic benefits are generated from the best business performance because of operating green standards. It gives a solid ecosystem and supports sustainable growth for the future. It also provides a good outlook on the international value chain, creating new opportunities in the global markets.
Embracing a green market creates more employment opportunities; according to the energy industry, 3.5 million latest employment opportunities have been designed for the job market by sustainable power usage in contrast with 2.5 million new job vacancies from the gas and oil industry.Furthermore, improving ecological performance will help to grow economic funds. For instance, power efficiency will decrease the higher use of energy which will benefit the overall finances of a company. Researches prove that clean energy technology has short restitution times and leads to cut down yearly expenses.
Green garment factories also have better workplace environments as they ensure working safety by improving internal environmental quality. The buildings are made of low emitting materials, and the interior is designed to utilize maximum flows of natural air providing thermal comfort. Efficient floor management and excellent compliance protection also provide a safe work environment to the workers.
After primary developing expenditure, these investments assist in reducing the use of resources through efficient productivity. These savings funds can be utilized to grow the business, creating new job opportunities or industry development.
The green garment factories having an edge in the outsourcing market differentiates Bangladesh from its major regional rivals—Vietnam, Cambodia, and Indonesia. Bangladesh is now home to the highest number of platinum-rated green garment factories in the world.
The RMG sector plays a crucial role in the progress of industrial development in Bangladesh. In a short time, the Bangladesh garment sector managed to achieve global recognition. Bangladesh ranked number one in Southeast Asia and the second-largest garment exporter in the world. Although the brands do not pay extra for green garment factories, such an initiative helps a lot in branding the country. Most of the buyers are not conscious of GSCM (Green Supply Chain Management) products and services. Customer demands and low prices are considered critical external pressures.Environmental safety, safe working place, less energy consumption, factory’s reputation, and attracting buyers were the main motivating factors behind going to the green garment factory. There is a vast infrastructure, high maintenance cost, higher production cost, and lack of green-financial support are the main challenges for green transformation and sustainable growth of this sector. Apart from that fair price, green priority orders from the buyers and favourable government policies can remarkably influence green garment factories’ green shift and sustainability.
Bangladeshi garment entrepreneurs have accepted the “Go Green” idea as a role model. The future growth of the green garment factories is mainly dependent on fair prices and a collective effort of Brands, buyers, policymakers, and a decisive, supportive role of the government.