Envoy Textiles Ltd, a leading garment exporter of Bangladesh, was recognised by a US organisation for its green initiatives that helped save a significant amount of energy and water in its production process. Envoy Textiles received the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design’s platinum certification — the first Bangladeshi exporter to get the recognition from US-based Green Building Council in the denim category, the company saiPlatinum is the highest level of green-factory certification that a structure can earn. LEED is a popular green building certification programme used worldwide. It includes a set of rating systems for design, construction, operation, and maintenance of green buildings, homes, and neighborhoods. The programme aims to help building owners and operators be environmentally responsible and use resources efficiently. Envoy Textiles saves 30 percent electricity by means of the green initiatives, said Abdus Salam Murshedy, managing director of the company. “We also save a substantial amount of gas and water. ”The factory in Bhaluka of Mymensingh produces high-value denim fabrics for renowned retailers such as Marks & Spencer, GAP, Wrangler, Tesco and Next.“We are also producing knit denim as per demand,” Murshedy said.The platinum certification is a reward for the 10-year old factory after it met standards by improving working conditions and adopting the environmental protection system in its production process. The factory, which employs 1,500 workers, produces four million metres of fabrics a month and uses 10 percent of the fabrics for making garments in its factories.The annual turnover of Envoy Textiles from the sale of denim is more than $75 million. It has spinning, weaving, dyeing and finishing operations. Murshedy, a former president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said the company plans to expand operations to meet demand from the customers.Bangladesh’s garment sector is increasingly moving towards green building initiatives to impress the growing tribe of eco-minded international retailers, and in the process, grab more work orders. So far, 28 garment factories of Bangladesh have adopted green technologies, and more than 150 are on the way to receive LEED certification, according to industry insiders.
