Business Report :
Four new readymade garment (RMG) factory units in Bangladesh have obtained United States Green Building Council’s (USGBC) leadership in energy and environmental design (Leed) certificate recently, according to the BGMEA.
With this, Bangladesh has further solidified its position as a global leader in environmentally friendly apparel manufacturing, boasting 224 Leed-certified factories, including 88 platinum-rated, 122 gold-rated, 10 silver-rated, and four certified factories.
In June, Aptech Caswier Ltd, a factory unit based in Kashimpur, Gazipur, received a platinum certificate from the USGBC at Leed O+M: Existing Building v4.1 rating system with a score of 86.
Another Kashimpur, Gazipur-based factory unit, Big Boss Corporation Limited, also obtained a platinum certificate from the USGBC at Leed O+M: Existing Building v4.1 rating system with a score of 88 in June.
Ananta Jeanswear Limited, a Gazipur-based factory unit, obtained a platinum certificate from the USGBC at Leed O+M: Existing Building v4.1 rating system with a score of 90 in June.
Moreover, in July, Gazipur-based factory Basic Shirts Limited also obtained a platinum certificate in May from the USGBC at Leed O+M: Existing Building v4.1 rating system with a score of 90, said the BGMEA official.
Currently, 59 of the world’s top 100 Leed Green Factories are situated in Bangladesh, including nine of the top 10 and 18 of the top 20, indicating an achievement that is poised to attract additional investment and partnerships, cementing Bangladesh’s reputation as a sustainable manufacturing hub.
Moreover, Bangladesh is also home to the highest and the second-highest-scoring green factories.
The rapid increase in Leed-certified green factories in Bangladesh is a clear and direct result of the garment industry’s unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability.
This dedication to sustainability is crucial for ensuring the long-term viability and success of this industry.
Another 550 factories are waiting to get the USGBC’s Leed certification.
The factory units of Bangladesh have been obtaining the Leed certificate since 2001.
USGBC honours factories based on several criteria — transformation performance, energy, water, and waste management. The best performers are rated with platinum, followed by gold and silver.
These criteria help green factories significantly to reduce operational costs over time even though they may initially cost more to set up, according to industry insiders. These factories also provide a safe working environment for employees.