Eco-friendly RMG sector can save $150m a year: study

From right, Magnus Schmidt, project coordinator of Promotion of Social & Environmental Standards in the Industry, GIZ; Ainun Nishat, vice chancellor of BRAC University; Faruk Khan, tourism and aviation minister; and Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, attend a seminar on environment-friendly garment production at the Westin hotel in Dhaka yesterday.Photo: STAR

Bangladesh's garment industry can save at least $150 million a year by introducing an environment friendly production method, according to a study of the International Finance Corporation. Cleaner production will also make the industry more competitive in the global market, said the study.
The study was released at a seminar on 'environment friendly and resource efficient production: the context of textile and clothing industry' organised by Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) at the Westin Dhaka.
SouthAsia Enterprise Development Facility (SEDF) conducted the study on behalf of the IFC.
Naureen Chowdhury, associate operation officer of the IFC-SEDF, said cleaner production is needed for sustainable development.
So the apparel markers should practise an environment friendly production method as part of their daily operation, she said in a keynote.
A cleaner production method not only increases output but also cuts input costs, she said.
Ainun Nishat, vice chancellor of BRAC University, said the garment industry is facing three major challenges -- weak factory structure, workplace safety and environmental issues.
He urged apparel makers to be pro-active in setting the industry's own standards instead of waiting for pressure from international buyers.
“We should make every industrial unit environment-friendly.”
“We don't want to hear that buyers are leaving Bangladesh due to a lack of standards. I will ask garment owners to increase efficiency in water and energy use,” said Nishat.
"Donors are ready to cooperate with you."
Civil Aviation Minister Faruk Khan said garment has become an important sector not only by earning billions of dollars but also by creating employment for millions of people.
About the recent fire at Tazreen Fashions, he said the industry people should take steps without any delay to avert any such incident in future.
The minister said time has come to see resource efficient production by setting up effluent treatment plants in every factory. About cleaner production, BGMEA President Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin said they will consider it seriously.
Md Ashraful Hassan, managing director of Grameen Knitwear, also spoke.