2 more garment units get LEED certification

Two more garment factories in Bangladesh have achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the US Green Building Council (USGBC), taking the total number of green garment units in the country to 178.

Of the two units, Beximco Industrial Park at Sarabo in Gazipur received the platinum rated LEED certification while Barnali Collections Limited at Hazaribagh in Narayanganj received the gold certification.

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This year, a record 13 factories received the platinum rated LEED certification, according to data from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).

Being the global champion in green factories, Bangladesh currently has 58 platinum rated, 106 gold rated and 10 silver rated garment units while four are only LEED certified.

Additionally, another 550 garment factories in the country are waiting for LEED certification from the USGBC, the BGMEA said.

However, local garment exporters complain that international retailers and brands do not pay premium prices for the green initiative even though these units are saving energy consumption by 40 per cent in the production process.

Green garment factories are also saving the environment by substantially reducing water consumption. The construction of green garment units has brightened the image of the country and the sector itself, it added.