THE textile and garment industry is a crucial part of Bangladesh’s economy, playing a major role in exports, employment and industrial growth. However, this industry faces significant environmental challenges, especially in dyeing and printing, which are among the most resource-consuming and polluting stages of textile manufacturing. These facilities often use large quantities of water and chemicals and release untreated wastewater, causing water pollution, soil contamination and environmental damage.
Traditional dyeing and printing methods use a lot of water. For instance, conventional dyeing can use between 100 and 150 litres of water for each kilogram of fabric. In Bangladesh, where freshwater resources are stretched thin by overuse, population growth and climate change, this level of water use worsens shortages and risks local water security.
Synthetic dyes, finishing agents and auxiliaries used in textile processing often contain toxic compounds, including heavy metals, formaldehyde and azo dyes. When discharged untreated into rivers and canals, these chemicals harm aquatic ecosystems, threaten biodiversity and pose serious health risks to communities that depend on these water sources.
Many dyeing and printing units lack proper effluent treatment plants (ETPs) or operate inefficient systems. As a result, hazardous effluents are released into the environment, causing ecological damage and breaking national environmental regulations. Additionally, traditional thermal dyeing and printing technologies depend heavily on fossil fuels, which increase greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to climate change.
Given these challenges, adopting sustainable dyeing and printing practices is not only good for the environment but also economically smart, helping align the textile industry with worldwide sustainability standards and export market demands. Sustainable dyeing and printing involve rethinking traditional methods to cut resource consumption, lower pollution and improve efficiency. The key principles include: Reducing water consumption through optimized processes, water recycling and closed-loop systems; substituting hazardous chemicals with biodegradable, low-toxicity dyes and auxiliaries; installing and maintaining effective ETPs; and adopting advanced treatment technologies such as membrane filtration and biological treatment. Utilising energy-efficient machinery and renewable energy sources to lower carbon emissions, implementing cleaner production techniques, lean manufacturing and the best available technologies to minimise waste and environmental footprints.
Bangladesh has seen a rising awareness of sustainable practices in textile dyeing and printing, influenced by both government regulations and market demands from international buyers.
The government has set environmental standards and guidelines for effluent discharge, chemical use and treatment infrastructure under the Department of Environment. Enforcement of environmental rules, like requiring effluent treatment systems for dyeing units, has increased in recent years.
To centralise environmental management and enhance sustainability results, Bangladesh has established integrated textile and dyeing clusters with common effluent treatment plants. These clusters aim to share infrastructure, lower individual unit compliance costs and boost waste management efficiency.
Many large textile producers and export-focused factories have adopted voluntary sustainability standards and certifications, such as the Global Organic Textile Standard and the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals roadmap compliance. These certifications promote the use of safer chemicals, responsible water management and transparent supply chain reporting.
Gradual adoption of sustainable technologies like low-liquor ratio dyeing machines, digital textile printing and waterless dyeing shows the industry’s efforts to improve resource efficiency. Although still small in scale, these technologies could significantly cut water and energy use.
International development agencies, buyers and non-governmental organisations have supported training programmes, capacity building and financial incentives to help textile units transition to sustainable practices.
Despite progress, significant barriers still exist. Sustainable technologies and advanced treatment systems require large upfront investments, often beyond the capacity of small and medium-sized dyeing and printing units. Limited access to green financing and credit further hampers their adoption. Many factory owners and workers lack the technical skills needed for sustainable processes and technologies. Without proper training and awareness, adoption remains slow or superficial.
Environmental regulations are enforced inconsistently, often leading to non-compliance and ongoing pollution. Weak monitoring systems and judicial delays further weaken regulatory effectiveness. Global buyers are increasingly demanding sustainable practices, but price competitiveness remains a priority for many brands. This conflict between cost efficiency and sustainability standards can restrict investment in greener processes.
To accelerate sustainable dyeing and printing in Bangladesh, coordinated action is essential. Providing loan facilities, tax incentives and subsidies for sustainable technologies can reduce financial barriers for textile companies. Government and industry organisations should expand technical training programmes to develop skills in sustainable processes, chemical management and environmental compliance. Improving the capacity of environmental monitoring agencies and ensuring consistent enforcement can boost accountability and environmental results. Stakeholders, including the government, industry associations, global buyers and civil society, should work together to share best practices, support research and innovation and create sector-wide sustainability plans.
Achieving broad-scale change in dyeing and printing will require investment, innovation, capacity building and consistent policies. Ultimately, greening dyeing and printing not only help protect the environment but also boost the competitiveness, reputation and long-term sustainability of the textile sector in a global market that values sustainability more and more.
Dr Nasim Ahmed holds a PhD in public policy from Ulster University in the UK and currently works as associate professor of public policy at the Bangladesh Institute of Governance and Management (affiliated with the University of Dhaka).
