Green garment factories: 2 more join the list

The number of green garment factories in the country stood at 157 as the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) today awarded the green certification to two more factories.

Of the total number 47 are platinum rated, 96 are gold standard, 10 silver rated, and four are just certified by the USGBC, according to data from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) today.

The USGBC awarded the local 4A Yarn Dyeing Ltd as platinum rated certification for its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and Riviera Composite Industries Limited a gold certificate for LEED imitative, the BGMEA said.

The local garment manufacturers and exporters have been constructing more and more green factory buildings mainly for two reasons -- including brightening the image of the sector and for reducing the cost of energy and water consumption.

Nearly 500 more garment factories are waiting to be LEED certificated by the USGBC.

The manufacturers can save at least 30 percent energy in green buildings.