In the first five months of 2024, Bangladesh's readymade garment (RMG) industry has achieved a significant milestone in sustainable fashion, with 12 factories earning LEED certification. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a globally recognized green building rating system that emphasizes environmental responsibility and energy efficiency. This recent accomplishment brings Bangladesh's total to 218 LEED-certified green factories, underscoring the country's commitment to green initiatives within the garment sector, according to Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Director Mohiuddin Rubel. RMG Sustainability Council holds meeting to discuss issues affecting industry Of the 218 certified factories, 84 have achieved the highest, platinum rating, 120 have earned gold, 10 silver, and 4 are certified, as reported by the BGMEA. In the first five months of 2024, eight of the newly certified factories received the platinum rating, while the remaining four were awarded gold. Notable performers include S.M. Sourcing with 106 points and Green Textiles Limited Unit 4 with 104 points. Other high scorers include Integra Dresses and Knit Asia Limited, both achieving 99 points, Remi Holdings Ltd with 97 points, and Fatullah Apparels, also scoring 97 points. Bangladesh’s achievement positions the country as a leader in the global sustainable fashion movement, with 56 out of the 100 LEED-certified green factories worldwide located here, according to BGMEA. This includes 9 of the top 10 and 18 of the top 20 LEED-certified factories globally, based on BGMEA data. RMG exports up by almost 5pc in FY 2023-24 The geographic distribution of these certifications within Bangladesh illustrates the RMG industry's widespread commitment to sustainability. By proactively achieving LEED ratings, Bangladesh's garments industry is setting a benchmark for environmental stewardship, positioning the country as a key player in the global push for more sustainable manufacturing practices.

In 2023, Bangladesh's readymade garment (RMG) industry marked a significant stride in sustainable fashion, with 24 of its factories achieving LEED certification. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), the globally recognized green building rating system, underscores a commitment to environmental responsibility and energy efficiency. This recent certification brings Bangladesh's total to 206 LEED-certified green factories, a testament to the country's dedication to green initiatives within the garments sector, according to BGMEA Director Mohiuddin Rubel. The BGMEA (Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association) reports a breakdown of these certifications, with 76 achieving the highest, platinum rating, and 116 receiving a gold rating. This progress is particularly notable in the context of the global apparel industry's increasing focus on sustainable practices. Also read: Bangladesh now boasts 206 LEED-certified green factories: BGMEA Of the 24 newly LEED-certified factories, a majority, 16, were awarded the prestigious platinum rating, while the remaining 8 achieved a gold rating. Standout performers in 2023 included S. M. Sourcing with 106 points and Green Textiles Limited Unit 4 scoring 104 points. Also noteworthy are Integra Dresses and Knit Asia Limited, both achieving 99 points, Lida Textile & Dying Limited with 97 points, and Liz Fashion Industry Limited scoring 96 points, as detailed by BGMEA. This achievement positions Bangladesh as a leader in the global sustainable fashion movement, with 54 out of the 100 LEED-certified green factories worldwide located in the country. This includes 9 of the top 10, and 18 of the top 20 LEED-certified factories globally, according to BGMEA data.  Mohiuddin Rubel, director at BGMEA, highlights this as a potential catalyst for increased investment and partnership opportunities in the Bangladesh RMG industry. Also read: Milestone for RMG as Bangladesh becomes top source of Knitwear into EU market The geographic spread of these certifications within Bangladesh further illustrates the RMG industry's widespread commitment to sustainability. The majority of the 2023 certifications were in Gazipur (15 factories), followed by Dhaka (4), Chattogram (3), and Mymensingh (2). This regional distribution indicates a nationwide embrace of LEED principles in the Bangladesh garments sector. Currently, over 500 Bangladeshi factories are in the process of obtaining their LEED certification, signaling a robust and ongoing commitment to green practices in the Bangladesh RMG industry. This move towards sustainable fashion not only aligns with global environmental goals but also positions Bangladesh as a forward-thinking leader in the green manufacturing space. The significant increase in LEED-certified green factories within Bangladesh's RMG sector in 2023 is a clear indicator of the industry's commitment to sustainable fashion. With the Bangladesh garments industry taking proactive steps to achieve LEED ratings, it sets a benchmark for environmental stewardship and positions the country as a key player in the global push for more sustainable manufacturing practices. Also read: Environment-friendly factories, circular economy key to sustainable growth in RMG sector: Speakers

Two new readymade garment (RMG) factories, operating under Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters’ Association (BGMEA), have received LEED certification (certificate for green factories) from United States Green Building Council (USGBC). The green-certified factories are Barnali Collections Limited from Narayanganj, with 64 points out of 110, and Bangladesh Export Import Company Limited (Beximco) from Gazipur, with 85 points out of 110. The information was made public on Saturday (November 19, 2022) by Md Mohiuddin Rubel, Director of BGMEA. Read: Can’t control global economy, but want to boost exports: BGMEA president “With two new factories getting LEED certification, the total number of green factories in the country now stands at 178. This achievement will help us in developing our brand image to the international buyers,” said Rubel, adding that 13 factories out of a total of 58 have already achieved platinum certifications this year. Rubel added that green factories increase the confidence of the buyers to procure more RMG products from Bangladesh. “At a time when our orders have decreased by 20-30 percent due to the ongoing global economic slowdown, the fact that we’ve been considered once again for the safest factories will boost our business. Besides, green factories consume less energy than the traditional factories, which is a must as the country struggles with energy supply to factories,” added Rubel. Read More: BGMEA, Tonello to partner in promoting green technologies Rubel further said the LEED certification will help Bangladesh’s RMG producers to compete in the global market and get the best prices.

Thirty institutions, including 15 garment factories, have received Green Factory Award 2020 for their contribution to saving the environment and creating employment. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina joined the award-giving ceremony virtually as the chief guest. State Minister for Labour and Employment Begum Monnujan Sufian handed over the awards on behalf of the PM in the capital Wednesday. The Ministry of Labour and Employment launched the "Green Factory Award 2020" this year to encourage local industries to invest in green measures. Read Grameenphone observes Green Week 2022 The award-winning institutions include 15 factories from the garment industry, three institutions from the food processing, four from tea, two from leather, three from the plastic and three others from the pharmaceutical sectors. The garment factories which received the award are Remi Holdings Limited, Tarasima Apparels Limited, Plummy Fashions Limited, Mithela Textile Industries Limited, Vintage Denim Studio Limited, AR Jeans Producer Limited, Karooni Knit Composite Limited, Designer Fashion Limited, Kenpark Bangladesh Apparel Private Limited (Kenpark Unit 2), Green Textile Limited (Unit 3), Four H Dyeing and Printing Limited, Wisdom Attires Limited, Mahmuda Attires Limited, Snowtex Outerwear Limited and Auko-Tex Limited. Bangladesh has 152 green garment buildings certified as "Leadership in Environmental and Energy in Design (LEED)" by the US Green Building Council. Read Bangladesh, Denmark sign document to strengthen partnership on green transition Among them 44 factories are platinum rated while 94 are gold rated, 10 are silver. 500 more factories are in the process of achieving LEED certification. BGMEA President Faruque Hassan congratulated the factories on winning the award and expressed appreciation for their efforts to cut carbon emissions and global warming and their commitment to a healthy and sustainable future. He urged the government to honour all green garment factories in Bangladesh with awards to recognise their contributions to protecting the environment. Read Huawei to enrich digital solutions to empower APAC's green development