Staff Reporter :
Experts are urging the formalization of Bangladesh’s textile waste management system to meet international sustainability standards, particularly those set by the European Union (EU), and to avert potential political and economic tensions, including labor unrest.
This call was made during a recent discussion on sustainability in the country’s thriving readymade garment (RMG) sector, which plays a critical role in Bangladesh’s economy.
The dialogue, held under the ‘SWITCH to Circular Economy Value Chains’ project, was co-funded by the EU and the government of Finland, and led by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO). It brought together stakeholders from various organizations, including the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Global Fashion Agenda, BESTSELLER, Reverse Resources, Chatham House, Circle Economy, and the European Investment Bank (EIB).
Industry experts emphasized the need for a robust and formal policy framework to better manage textile waste, a critical issue for both environmental and economic reasons.
They noted that a properly structured system could not only reduce Bangladesh’s dependency on textile imports but also create millions of jobs in the recycling sector.
Abdur Rahim Khan, Additional Secretary and Head of the Export Wing at the Ministry of Commerce, pointed out that textile waste had been a significant contributing factor to the labor unrest that periodically disrupts the RMG industry. He highlighted the urgency of developing a national strategy for circularity in waste management.
According to Khan, integrating advanced technologies, facilitating financing options, and ensuring a comprehensive policy for waste reduction and recycling are essential steps toward a sustainable future for the industry.
Bernd Spanier, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Bangladesh, emphasized that the next five years would be crucial for the RMG sector. He stressed that garment-producing countries like Bangladesh must transition from a traditional linear production model, where textiles are used and discarded, to a circular model, which promotes recycling and the reuse of materials. This shift, he noted, is essential for ensuring that textiles are produced in a socially and environmentally responsible manner, in line with the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles.
Despite these discussions, experts have pointed out that Bangladesh’s current regulatory framework remains inadequate in supporting the shift toward circularity. Existing policies, such as the National Environmental Policy, the Solid Waste Management Rules, and the Bangladesh Labour Act, are not sufficiently aligned with international standards for textile manufacturing and waste management. Experts have called for a comprehensive overhaul of these frameworks to facilitate better integration of sustainable practices in the industry.
The push for reform is timely, given that Bangladesh’s RMG sector continues to face pressure to meet the growing demand for eco-friendly and ethically produced garments in international markets. The EU’s increasingly stringent regulations, such as the requirement for textiles to be free from hazardous substances, further underscore the need for a systemic shift in how Bangladesh handles its textile waste.
As Bangladesh strives to maintain its position as a global leader in garment production, the discussion has sparked calls for more proactive engagement with the circular economy model, offering the country an opportunity to lead the way in textile waste management and sustainability in the global fashion industry.