Green Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) factories have been a blessing for the country as those have helped draw the attention of the global buyers to Bangladesh during the post-pandemic period.

From their past experience, entrepreneurs are setting up green factories in the country as the global buyers usually do not place orders if those factories are not of international standard. So, the entrepreneurs are running their business according to the business laws and laws of the country as well.

At present, there are 176 LEED green factories in the country and 57 of them are platinum standard recognized by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). Also, more than 550 factories are on the waiting list to be getting certified as the LEED green factories.

Despite the pandemic, Bangladesh had seen a boom in garment exports throughout the last year. The garment industry entrepreneurs of Bangladesh have never had such a good year. And those green factories have helped earn huge foreign currency, said industry insiders. Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Director Mohiuddin Rubel told Bangladesh Post, “For social and sustainability, we have been working since long. And one of the major examples is our green factories.  Just a decade ago, there was only one environment-friendly green factory in the country. Now the number of such factories has stood at 176. Bangladesh ranks first in the list of green factories in the world. It contributes to increasing the export of this sector.”  

“In new normal circumstances, the country has witnessed a tremendous turnaround in its export, especially of readymade garment (RMG). We are able to continue with an upward trend in our exports through those factories and in near future, we will also be able to draw the attention of the global buyers. Those green factories will lead us among other countries,” he added.  

On Saturday, three more garment factories in the country were recognized as ‘green factories’ by the USGBC. These include CA Knitwear Limited of Bhabanipur, Gazipur, Silken Swing Limited of Baniyarchala, Gazipur and Sultana Sweater Limited of Meherbari,  Mymensingh. The factories received three platinum ratings, according to RMG entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneurs said that huge investment is required to establish a green factory. An investment of Tk 200 crore to Tk 300 crore is required for setting up a factory on 3 to 10 bighas of land.

The entrepreneurs said that most of the entrepreneurs made investment between Tk 500 crore and Tk 1,100 crore in the factories which have won the title of green factory in the country till now. According to them, to get green factory accreditation, a project has to maintain the highest standard from construction to manufacturing under the supervision of the USGBC. Application can also be submitted after the construction work of the building is completed or the old building is renovated.

More importantly, this requires the entrepreneur to maintain 100 percent international standard in operations from the start of production to the factory closure.

Since 2001, Bangladesh has been receiving LEED certificate. The USGBC recognizes the factories as 'green factories' based on several criteria, including renovation, energy, water, and waste management.

According to BGMEA, green factories help reduce energy use by 40 percent and water consumption by more than 30 percent and also emit less carbon dioxide which further ensures environmental safety.