Bangladesh has reinforced its position as a global leader in sustainable manufacturing with the recent certification of three more readymade garment (RMG) factories under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program by the US Green Building Council (USGBC). According to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), the country now boasts a total of 243 LEED-certified factories.
Among these, 101 factories have achieved platinum ratings, the highest designation, while 128 are gold-rated, 10 silver-rated, and four hold other certifications. Notably, several factories in Gazipur and Dhaka have earned platinum certificates for their outstanding sustainability efforts.
In May, Gazipur-based Tasniah Fabrics Limited’s administrative building received a platinum LEED certificate under the LEED O+M: Existing Building v4 rating system with a score of 82. Similarly, Tasniah Fabrics’ RMG building in Gazipur and Dhaka-based Confit Golden Leaf also secured platinum certifications, scoring 81 and 82 respectively, under the same rating system.
Bangladesh’s leadership in green manufacturing is further underscored by the fact that 66 of the world’s top 100 LEED factories are located in the country, including nine of the top 10 and 18 of the top 20. Industry insiders indicate that approximately 550 factories are currently in the pipeline awaiting USGBC certification.
Since initiating their LEED certification journey in 2011, Bangladeshi factories have increasingly adopted sustainable practices. The USGBC evaluates factories based on criteria such as energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, and overall transformation performance. Factories that excel in these areas are awarded platinum, gold, or silver ratings, with the top performers significantly reducing operational costs over time despite higher initial investments.
This growing trend towards green manufacturing is expected to attract new investments and foster international partnerships, further establishing Bangladesh as a leading hub for sustainable apparel production.
