A project to protect biodiversity and water resources through sustainable chemical management and wastewater management in Bangladesh’s textile, apparel, and leather industries was formally launched in Dhaka recently. Held at the Lakeshore Grand Hotel, the launching event brought together key representatives from government agencies, development partners, global brands, industry associations, manufacturers, and technical organizations.
Funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and led by the Netherlands-based Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) Foundation, the 36-month initiative will support 100 textile and leather manufacturing facilities across Bangladesh in improving chemical management, wastewater performance, and sustainable production practices. The project’s technical and local implementation will be jointly led by Swiss specialized firm ECOPSIS and local solution partner Amin & Jahan Corporation Ltd.
During the opening remarks, Ms. Mariella Noto, Academia & Multilateral Partnerships Director at the ZDHC Foundation, emphasized that the project will look beyond factory-level compliance to address the broader systemic impacts of industrial pollution on aquatic life, biodiversity, and local communities. “Anything that we do with water will end up in the air, will end up in the soil and will affect different parts of society. It is a holistic system,” Ms. Noto stated. “What we are aiming for is long-term, sustainable, and systemic change — not something that we will do for three or four years, step out, and leave as it is. We are trying to establish a system that will work and build capacity for the long term.”
The launch also provided a critical platform for Bangladesh’s industry associations to share their expectations and vision for the initiative. Mr. Minhazul Hoque, Director of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), highlighted the importance of a practical, non-punitive approach to factory engagement.
“The initiative should prioritize hands-on capacity building and technical support for factories rather than creating additional audit or compliance burdens.” Mr. Hoque emphasized.
Echoing these expectations, Major Md. Rafiqul Islam (Retd.), Secretary General of FLAXA, noted the timely relevance of the initiative for the leather and footwear sector.
“By providing practical, hands-on factory-level guidance, this program can help our facilities optimize chemical consumption, reduce costs, and enhance our overall commercial viability in highly competitive global markets.” Major Islam remarked.
Under the project work plan, participating wet-processing textile facilities and leather manufacturers will receive training, capacity building, and technical assistance to establish robust Chemical Inventory Lists (CIL), adopt Supplier to Zero, and complete Performance InCheck Verification. To eliminate barriers to onboarding, applicable licensing and platform fees will be waived or covered through the AFD–ZDHC grant. Dedicated technical teams will conduct bi-monthly visits, and each factory will form an “Implementation Circle” involving senior management and operational employees to foster deep internal ownership.
The launching event was attended by key representatives from government agencies, development partners, global brands, industry associations, and technical organizations. Agence Française de Développement (AFD) was represented by Mr. Gwenael Prie, Deputy Country Director, and Ms. Tamanna Binte Rahman, Project Manager; Department of Environment, Dhaka Region was represented by Mr. Md. Fardoush Anwar, Director; ZDHC Foundation was represented by Ms. Mariella Noto, Academia & Multilateral Partnerships Director, Mr. S. M. Rayhan Hossain, Bangladesh Country Manager, and Mr. Kéziah Guillopé, Senior Project & Academia Associate and Project Coordinator; ECOPSIS was represented by Ms. Goufrane Mansour, Project Director; while Amin & Jahan Corporation Ltd. was represented by Mr. Enamul Hafiz Latifee, Deputy Project Manager (Policy and M&E). Furthermore, global brands were represented by Mr. Mohammad Wasiuzzaman Shohan, Manager of Environmental Sustainability at PUMA, and Mr. A K M Foysal, Sustainability Expert at H&M. The industry associations were represented by Mr. Minhazul Hoque, Director of BKMEA; Major Md. Rafiqul Islam (Retd.), Secretary General of FLAXA; Ms. Syeda Nowshin Sajnin, Senior Executive Officer of BTA; and Mr. Ibrahim Khalel, Junior Executive Officer of BFLLFEA.
