Push for Green Industrial Technology

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo, MP, has emphasized adopting effective, timely and technology-driven measures to ensure environmental compliance in Bangladesh’s readymade garment and textile industries while considering industrial realities, technological capacity and global competitiveness.

He made the remarks on Tuesday at a review meeting on key environmental issues concerning the readymade garment and textile sectors at the Department of Environment conference room.

The meeting discussed a wide range of environmental management issues, including technology-based pollution control, water recycling and waste management. Key areas included the colour parameter of water discharged from effluent treatment plants (ETPs), implementation of Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD), water reuse and the 3R policy—Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

The meeting also addressed the reliability of environmental sample collection and testing, the Mirror Testing Mechanism, renewal of environmental clearance certificates, installation of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), generator noise control, air pollution management, rainwater harvesting, water recycling, water efficiency and reject water management.

BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan presented written proposals outlining these issues and various technical and practical challenges faced by the sector in ensuring environmental compliance.

Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo said the readymade garment and textile industries make significant contributions to Bangladesh’s economy, employment and export earnings. At the same time, he stressed the importance of ensuring proper compliance with environmental laws and regulations to make industrial production more environmentally friendly, resource-efficient and sustainable.

He said all relevant stakeholders must work together to identify rational and science-based solutions while maintaining environmental protection as the primary objective and taking the practical realities of industries into account.

Speaking as a special guest, Environment, Forest and Climate Change State Minister Sheikh Faridul Islam, MP, said sustainable industrial development must be aligned with environmental protection.

He called on industries to adopt environmentally friendly technologies, improve the efficient use of water and other natural resources, and take greater responsibility for pollution control.

He also urged stakeholders to set realistic and achievable targets and implement them gradually.

The meeting decided to continue discussions and technical coordination among the ministry, Department of Environment, industry associations and other stakeholders to strengthen environmental compliance in the readymade garment and textile sectors.

International experts will be consulted on the use of effective chemicals in ETPs and the installation of incineration plants for sludge management. Other issues raised during the meeting will also be reviewed considering relevant laws and regulations, technological feasibility and environmental protection requirements.

The meeting was chaired by Dr. Fahmida Khanam, acting secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Additional Secretary Mohammad Navid Shafiullah and other relevant officials, representatives of the Department of Environment and BGMEA were also present.
//DigiBanglaTech/TNN/MSI//