Reeling under urban problems such as industrial pollution and overpopulation, large companies in the garment and textile industry will join forces with non-governmental organization Solidaridad and International Finance Corporation (IFC), to improve the sustainability of the sector in the country. Companies like H&M, WE and Esprit signed a memorandum of understanding with the Dutch Minister for Development Cooperation and have committed to reduce the use of water and pollution in the sector. The initiative stems from a project of Solidaridad and IFC, a division of the World Bank. The industry strives to produce less water, energy and chemicals, and invest in new technologies.
In the country 3.5 million people work in the garment and textile sector which is responsible for 79 per cent of exports. The industry has many environmental effects. It produces 56 million tonnes of waste water and pollution which causes disease and a decline of fish stock.
The textile companies plans to tackle these problems together. Marieke Weerdesteijn of Solidaridad, says: “It is very important that these prominent fashion brands and the local industry expressed the need of better and cleaner production in the textile sector in Bangladesh. Only if we team up, we can make a difference.”
