Published: 12:19 AM, 26 April 2026
It’s High Time to Shift to Green Industries Right Now
Back in 2022 a Bangladeshi factory Green Textile Limited located in Bhaluka, Mymensingh has been recognized as the number one or top eco-friendly factory in the world. According to media report, the US Green Building Council (USGBC) has been recognized quality certificate as an environmentally friendly factory. Last February 21, the USGBC issued the prestigious certificate and the factory received 104 out of 110 marks in various criteria for environmentally friendly factories. More glorious news is that according to the latest USGBC list, 8 of the world's top 10 eco-friendly factories are in Bangladesh and the remaining two are in Indonesia and Sri Lanka. As of 2018, Indonesia had the world's most environmentally friendly factory. The factory then got 101 out of 110 marks. Moreover, 52 out of the top 100 environmentally friendly factories in the world are in Bangladesh and 10 factories in China are in the second position. Then Pakistan has 9 factories, Sri Lanka and India have 6 each with 12 and Vietnam and Taiwan have 4 and 8 factories each.
Currently, the importance, popularity and necessity of green factories or industry in the world is increasing at an appreciable rate due to global brands. According to BGMEA, our country has 183 certified green factories as of December 2022, the highest compared to other countries, and another 500 factories are in the pipeline to be certified soon. Out of 183 garment and textile factories in Bangladesh, 60 have got Lead Platinum, 109 Gold, 10 Silver and 4 certified. Last year, a total of 27 companies in the ready-made garments and textiles sector received the certificate of eco-friendly factories.
Generally, green factories are built in compliance with all relevant international standards. Energy and water conservation, construction in compliance with building codes and proper waste management are given utmost importance while setting up such factories. It is important to keep solar power source, light with sensor, bicycle stand for energy saving, rainwater harvesting, water recycling systems, taps with sensors to reduce water wastage and modern sanitary fittings are essential to save water. Not only this, a green factory has to maintain indoor air quality as per ASHRAE standards. Besides, the temperature inside the factory is controlled to a tolerable level, which plays a role in maintaining the good health and productivity of a worker.
The primary foundation of a green factory is efficient and sustainable production, which balances environmental and business interests. A factory is required to receive certification from the USGBC by achieving minimum standards in six specific areas prescribed by the USGBC to become Lead Certified. These include sustainable sites, efficient water management and electricity use, improved working environment etcetera.
Nasir Uddin Shah is Chief
Reporter at The Asian Age.
