The eco-friendly packaging and accessories industry has become more relevant in the SDG era. Both global buyers and domestic RMG manufacturers demand green packaging and accessories to fulfil buyers’ compliances and to brand Bangladesh as an eco-friendly source. According to industry insiders, the global market of green packaging in 2015 was worth USD 212 billion. It was worth USD 244 billion in 2018. It is expected to surpass USD 275 billion by the end of the current calendar year. The importance of green packaging is rising in the country as it complements SDG-12, which stands for sustainable consumption and production for promoting resource and energy efficiency, sustainable infrastructure and providing access to basic services, decent jobs, and a better quality of life for all. The participation of Bangladeshi companies in the global green packaging market is on the rise, but it is still low in terms of proportion. In the last fiscal year, packaging and accessories factories earned USD 7.5 billion through the RMG sector. If they can maintain green packaging and buyers’ compliances, they are likely to reach a higher place among national export sectors. Abdul Kader Khan, president of the Bangladesh Garment Accessories and Packaging Manufacturers’ and Exporters’ Association (BGAPMEA), said: “The number of packaging factories is increasing over time. In 2013, we had 1200 members, but it rose to 1,700 last year.” “This is the era of SDGs. Six out of 17 goals of SDGs is directly or indirectly related to the environment. So, we are emphasising on eco-friendly packaging industries. There is a high demand for green packaging, which includes cardboard stools, paper balls, eco-friendly printed fabrics, and recycled poly, in the international market,” he also said. “Bangladesh is an eco-friendly producer in the global market. We are the only country to fulfil the compliances set by Accord and Alliance. Still, there is unwillingness for international buyers to pay extra incentives and fair prices. That’s why factories are not often willing to go green,” he added. According to industry insiders, first-world countries are deeply concerned about the impact of single-use plastic packaging on the environment. So, Bangladesh has to use paperboard packaging and biomaterials in RMG packaging. As the RMG sector is the flagship sector of the country’s international trade, green packaging is going to attract more international buyers and benefit both RMG and packaging sectors of Bangladesh. Prof. Mustafizur Rahman, distinguished fellow of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), said: “The term ‘green factory’ is compatible with SDGs and very important for environmental protection. There is no alternative to establishing green factories for eco-friendly production and sustainable development.” “Six of the world’s top 10 green factories in the export sector are in our country. So, it can be said that we are an environment-friendly country when it comes to production. Bangladesh already has entered the era of green factory in the RMG sector. If there is a revolution of eco-friendly factories in the packaging sector, Bangladesh will surely ne branded as an eco-friendly producer in the global market,” he added. “First-world countries are the main consumers of our RMG, packaging, and knitwear products. They are very much sensitive about SDGs, climate change, etc. If Bangladesh gets branded as a eco-friendly producer country, it would be considered as an eco-friendly sources of products. The government should include these issues while formulating its fiscal and other policies.” Rahman said. “Every factory has to be built as a green factory in view of SDGs. A factory needs additional investment to build a green unit. Global supply chains and buyers should encourage factories with increased incentives and fair value to keep the process running,” he added.
