The total number of LEED-certified green factories in Bangladesh has now reached 229, following the recent certification of three more apparel and textile factories by the US Green Building Council under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design programme.
According to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, out of the 229 LEED-certified green factories in Bangladesh, 91 have achieved platinum ratings, while 124 have received gold certification. With its recent advancements in sustainable practices, Bangladesh now boasts 61 of the top 100 highest-rated LEED certified factories in the world.
The newly certified factories are Sepal Garments Ltd in Gazipur, Unitex Spinning Ltd (Unit-2) in Chattogram and Ananta Huaxiang Limited in Narayanganj. Both Sepal Garments Ltd and Unitex Spinning Ltd achieved platinum certification, scoring 85 and 43 respectively, while Ananta Huaxiang Limited earned gold certification with a score of 63.
Despite facing challenges from a global economic downturn and domestic issues, Bangladesh’s readymade garment industry continues to focus on sustainable growth, BGMEA Director Mohiuddin Rubel said. He said that the multiple LEED certifications reflected the apparel industry’s commitment to environmental sustainability and enhanced its reputation as a reliable sourcing partner. Mohiuddin also mentioned that sustainability had always been integral to their operations, ensuring that their growth aligned with international best practices and promoted environmental responsibility.
‘With ongoing partnerships and commitment, we are confident that the Bangladesh RMG industry will reach new heights of excellence, further solidifying its position as a global leader in sustainable and ethical manufacturing,’ the BGMEA leader mentioned.
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, awarded by the US Green Building Council, is earned by projects that meet prerequisites and credits addressing carbon, energy, water, waste, transportation, materials, health and indoor environmental quality. Platinum certification, the highest category, requires projects to earn more than 80 points out of 110, while gold certification ranges from 60 to 79 points, and silver certification from 50 to 59 points.
