‘RMG industry on transition to circular economy’

Staff Reporter :
The readymade garment industry is increasingly focusing on the transition from linear business model to circular economy for greater environmental sustainability coupled with economic growth, said Faruque Hassan, President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).

The BGMEA president came up with the observations at the launching of a report titled ‘The case for just transitions in energy, agricultural and RMG sector in Bangladesh’ held at a city hotel on Sunday.

Ruling party lawmaker Saber Hossain Chowdhury, also Special Envoy to the Honorable Prime Minister for Climate Change, and Chair of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, inaugurated the event.

According to the BGMEA data, the country’s garment sector currently generates 5.77 lakh tonnes of textile waste each year.

Of this amount, two-thirds are exported.

But if the cotton waste is recycled, the country could save as much as $500 million annually, the sector insiders said.

Faruque said, “To what extent climate change will change the world is still unclear, but one thing is certain that the businesses can no longer grow at the cost of the environment.

The decisions taken now and in the coming years will affect the planet.”

Highlighting the progress made by the RMG industry in the area of environmental sustainability, he said, “RMG industry has seen an impressive growth in the number of green garment factories.

The total number of LEED certified green garment factories in Bangladesh is now 200, of which 73 are platinum.

These green factories are equipped with all the eco-friendly features and emit 40 per cent less carbon than a conventional factory.”

Mentioning the series of initiatives taken by BGMEA for protecting environment under its Sustainability Vision 2030, he further said, “The vision aims to reduce 30 per cent carbon emission, 50 per cent use of sustainable raw materials, 50 per cent reduction of groundwater usage, 100 per cent use of ZDHC chemical usage, 30 per cent reduction of energy usage, 20 per cent use of renewable energy and 30 per cent reduction of deforestation.”

The BGMEA president said, “Climate change is not a future threat, it’s happening now.

The best way one can make an impact in this regard is “doing-our-bits” to curb carbon emissions and reduce environmental pollution.”

“When the brands are setting ambitious targets, it is their responsibility to make sure that no one is left behind in the supply chain,” he remarked.