# Introduction Bangladesh's textile production is slowly becoming aware of the importance of sustainability. In recent years, the country has quietly become a leader in affordable factories that use a combination of efficient technologies to reduce waste, conserve water, and build resilience against climate impacts and global supply chain disruptions. ## Changes in Textile Production Today, Bangladesh boasts 268 LEED-certified textile factories - more than any other country. The dyeing plants use safer chemicals, the tanneries adopt clean tanning methods, treat wastewater, the workshops use LED lighting that is more efficient, and solar panels shine on factory roofs. ## An Example of Sustainability At Fakir Eco Knitwears, a LEED Gold-certified factory in Narayanganj, a nearby area to Dhaka, natural light reduces energy consumption from electric lamps by 40%, while automatic shears allow workers to recycle 95% of fabric scraps into new fibers. 'We use the energy of light, sun, and water rather than heavy pumps,' explains Md. Anisuzzaman, engineer at the company. ## A Step Forward for Sustainability, But Still Much Work to Do However, the textile industry in Bangladesh still has a long way to go. The transition to eco-sustainability has not led to improvements for 4.4 million workers in the sector. ## Persistent Problems in the Textile Industry Wage theft and delayed payments are widespread. The minimum wage, equivalent to around 12,500 taka per month (around $113), is much lower than what trade unions propose - which is $200. This has led to frequent strikes and protests for payment, working hours, and workplace safety. ## A Broader Problem In the worst-case scenario, more eco-friendly industrial practices could even exacerbate inequality. Small factories dominate the textile industry and have difficulty investing in green upgrades. ## A Broader Problem Without those upgrades, companies might be excluded from certain markets. One of those is the European Union, which requires companies to address human and environmental issues in their supply chains starting from 2027. # Source Zakir Hossain Chowdhury is a visual journalist based in Bangladesh.