Bangladesh’s denim manufacturers have launched eco-friendly technology to produce sustainable denim as sustainability and environmental issues become major concerns among the world consumers. This initiative is expected not only to reduce environmental hazards in every stage of production process, but cut production cost also. It uses less chemicals, helps to avoid wastage of water and reduce carbon emission and encourages use of recyclable raw materials.
Textile experts say the green system will help cut use of water by 92% and energy by 30% to produce a pair of jeans compared to conventional methods. The new system will also reduce cotton waste by up to 87%, thus easing emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases generated through the burning of cotton. “Use of less water and chemicals will ultimately protect our environment,” Shahidul Hasan, director of Amber Denim Limited, told the Dhaka Tribune. He said they started using such chemicals and technology which consume less water and electricity to generate steams. “In traditional methods while it requires production of 60-degree heat, in sustainable method it can be done with 40-degree, Hasan explained. Abdus Salam Murshedy, managing director of Envoy Textile which also makes denim products, said they have “technically sound professionals” engaged in the production process of sustainable denim. “The sustainable method ensures optimum use of resources, helping manufacturers reduce production cost,” said Salam adding that green denim products are more popular among consumers than traditional ones. Mustafiz Uddin, managing director of Denim Expert Ltd, said as the environmental cause was becoming a major issue in the world, buyers appeared more attracted to green products. Moreover, the buyers seemed to ready to pay higher for products manufactures in eco-friendly way, he added. “Denim industry has joined the band wagon, and started to produce sustainable denim, applying ways and methods to conserve energy and natural resources.” Mustafiz urged the government to take steps to raise awareness among denim manufacturers and provide policy support along with incentives to producers who have adopted green technology. The newly introduced term “sustainable denim” will be broadly discussed in the Denim Expo to be held in November to make the industry people understand and encourage them to go on with the system, said the people concerned. “Bangladesh denim Expo” is said to be aimed at enlightening the world on sustainability and promoting this not only in Bangladesh but across the world. In the expo, there will be four seminars on the subjects like branding through green denim, safe and responsible supply chain, innovating sustainable denim for new generation market and sustainable wet processing, to highlight the prospects of Bangladesh denim industry.
