With three more facilities achieving the green factory status, the number of garment factories certified by the US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program in Bangladesh has increased to 243, according to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
Out of these 243 eco-friendly factories, 101 have earned the platinum rating, 128 have received gold-ratings, 10 have bagged silver rating while four have been certified.
In May, Gazipur-located Tasniah Fabrics’ administrative building was granted with a platinum certificate by the USGBC under the LEED O+M: Existing Building v4 rating system, achieving a score of 82.
Another factory in Gazipur, Tasniah Fabrics also attained a platinum certificate from the USGBC in the same month, scoring 81 under the LEED O+M: Existing Building v4 system.
Dhaka-based Confit Golden Leaf achieved a platinum certificate from the USGBC under the LEED O+M: Existing Building v4.1 rating system with a score of 82.
Notably, 66 of the world's top 100 LEED-certified factories are located in Bangladesh, including nine of the top 10 and 18 of the top 20. This achievement is anticipated to attract new investments and collaborations, further strengthening Bangladesh's position as a sustainable manufacturing hub,
According to industry sources, USGBC plans to certify 550 more Bangladesh factories that have been pursuing LEED certification since 2011.
The USGBC recognizes factories based on several criteria, including transformation performance, energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste management. The highest-performing facilities are awarded the platinum rating, followed by gold and silver. Industry insiders note, while green factories may have higher initial setup costs, these criteria help them significantly reduce operational expenses over time.
Mohiuddin Rubel, Former Director, BGMEA, states, as the world increasingly emphasizes ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) performance and sustainability in supply chains, this milestone enhances Bangladesh's global reputation.
