As the world’s second-largest garment exporter, Bangladesh’s RMG industry has taken significant steps towards integrating sustainability and circularity into its operations. This is evident by the presence of 54 of the world’s top 100-ranked factories in Bangladesh, including 9 of the top 10 and 18 of the top 20. Additionally, the country boasts 206 LEED Green factories, with 76 Platinum-rated and 116 Gold-rated, demonstrating its unwavering dedication to environmental responsibility. Besides, the BGMEA reports that over 500 additional garment factories are awaiting LEED certification from the US Green Building Council for their eco-friendly initiatives. But Bangladesh cannot let its guard down given that many Western brands are intensifying their sustainability efforts and aiming for zero emissions.
To gain further insight deeper into the country’s sustainable practices, Apparel Resources conducted an extensive survey, reaching out to hundreds of RMG factories to assess their readiness to transition towards a circular economy model. Our survey has revealed interesting findings!
Awareness and Implementation: No surprise that the survey findings indicate a remarkable level of awareness about the circular economy concept, with all respondents demonstrating familiarity and actively implementing circular economy initiatives within their organisations, signifying zero gap between knowledge and action.
Challenges and Opportunities: All respondents anticipate challenges in transitioning to a circular economy model. Key factors include low efficiency and relatively higher business costs, impacting trade competitiveness. Additionally, rising wages pose a significant concern for the sector’s competitiveness. Infrastructure development is crucial, with the government urged to provide comprehensive support, including gas and electricity. Moreover, there’s a call for increased focus on R&D to domestically produce woven fabric, as around 50 per cent of the demand is currently met through imports, which is both time-consuming and expensive. Despite these challenges, 87% of the respondents unanimously acknowledge the importance of collaborating with stakeholders to advance circular economy goals.
Regulatory Frameworks: A significant portion of respondents (62%) are aware of regulatory frameworks supporting circular economy practices, indicating a supportive policy environment. Furthermore, all organisations prioritise resource efficiency and waste reduction, demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainability.
Initiatives and Innovation: Encouragingly, all organisations have taken concrete steps to extend the lifespan of products through reuse, refurbishment or recycling and encouragingly 87% of respondents have a system in place to manage end-of-life products or waste generated from operations. Looking ahead, 100% respondents recognise ample opportunities for innovation and investment in circular economy solutions.
Steps taken to manage end-of-life products: The Bangladesh RMG industry has taken proactive steps to extend the lifespan of products, materials or resources through reuse, refurbishment or recycling. Instead of relying on fossil fuels, fabric cut pieces are repurposed for incineration boilers to generate steam, reducing environmental impact. A respondent even claimed to set up a dedicated company to produce fibre from pre-consumer and post-consumer waste. A strong focus is also on the Cradle to Cradle Certified products. Waste reduction plans aligned with the 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) policy are in place and circular economy platforms are utilised to promote sustainability. Currently, majority of the respondents claim that they segregate and reuse most of the waste, while the remaining is handed over to selected waste contractors committed to environmentally friendly recycling or disposal methods. The future initiatives include the establishment of in-house recycling plants. Efforts also include recycling jute into yarn and incorporating recycled yarn into product manufacturing processes.
Industry Initiatives
What steps has your organisation taken to extend the lifespan of products, materials or resources through reuse, refurbishment or recycling?
- Instead of using fossil fuel, we are reusing fabric cut pieces for incineration boiler to produce steam. Md. Imranur Rahman, Laila Styles Ltd.
- Formed a company to produce fibre by using pre-consumer and post-consumer waste. Producing C2C-certified products, working with EMF Jeans Redesign program. Anwarul Islam, Pacific Jeans
- We have waste reduction plan year-on-year as per 3R policy and also RR platform for circular economy. Akib Rahman, Dhaka Garments & Washing Ltd
- We listed all extra material and made design on that. Azmari, Lea Poncho
- Reuse and Recycling. Maisha Abdullah, Mitali Group
- We have started to go through the reuse or recycling plans. Our cutting jute are used to recycle as yarn. We are using recycled yarn for our products. Jibanananda Lodh, Parkscene Ind Ltd.
- Reuse of used or unused textile waste into fashion. Kyaw Sein Thay Dolly, Cloths “R” Us Ltd.
How do you manage end-of-life products or waste generated from your operations?
- 90% of the waste is segregated and reused and remaining 10% is given to selected waste contractors who are committed to recycle or dispose in an environmental friendly way.
- Waste is majorly recycled through recyclers. By the end of the year, there are plans to have own recycling plant.
- Waste reduction plans are in place for less waste generation from production and work is also being done on the RR platform.
- Scraps are being used for various processes in factories.
- Being in the initial stage of the procedure, there are plans in place to have MOU with some spinning mills which have already started recycling cutting jute.
- Convert the waste into fashion.
