The first-ever three-day circularity workshop titled ‘CIRCO Track’ was successfully completed in Bangladesh, highlighting the importance of reducing raw material usage through circular practices across industries, particularly in the ready-made garment (RMG) and textile sectors.
The workshop emphasized that waste should be treated as a resource rather than a problem. In the garment industry, reducing raw material consumption and reusing production waste can open up new business opportunities while lowering production costs. Waste generated during manufacturing can be transformed into new products or raw materials, creating additional income streams. This approach is considered essential for sustaining growth in Bangladesh’s garment sector and other industries, especially as the country prepares for graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in November 2026, according to a media release.
Existing circular initiatives in the RMG sector were highlighted, including the production of mattresses and pillows from cut waste, locally known as jhut, and the manufacturing of yarn from discarded plastic bottles. These practices contribute to business profitability while significantly reducing waste, benefiting both the economy and the environment.
The workshop was organized to promote the concept of the circular economy among businesses and to demonstrate practical and transformative approaches to circular production.
The three-day CIRCO Track workshop concluded on Wednesday, 14 January 2026, at a hotel in Gulshan, Dhaka. It followed the internationally recognized CIRCO methodology and was conducted by Pieter van Os, Co-founder of CIRCO International, and Ms. Nattinee Dora Sae-Ho, Trainer at CIRCO Hub Thailand, among others.
Participants developed outlines of innovative business models based on circularity principles during the sessions.
The program was organized by international business consultancy firm LightCastle Partners, with support from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh. Additional support was provided by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and CIRCO Netherlands.
The workshop was formally inaugurated on 11 January 2026 by Mohammed Sohel, Director of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
The sessions were held on 11, 13, and 14 January, with closing remarks delivered by Tanzila Tajreen, Senior Policy Advisor for Private Sector Development and Economic Affairs at the Dutch Embassy in Bangladesh.
The workshop also highlighted that, in response to global economic challenges, the European Union is moving steadily toward environmentally sustainable production. Ensuring environmental protection throughout the production process remains a significant challenge for Bangladesh and other developing countries. Global buyers are increasingly shifting toward the use of recycled materials, with 2030 identified as a key milestone.
In this context, CIRCO Hub Bangladesh is expected to play an important role in supporting Bangladeshi manufacturers in meeting international sustainability standards.
Officials from 10 companies in the garment and textile sector participated in the workshop, including representatives from SMEs in the garment and recycling sectors, leading manufacturers, and BGMEA, the release adds.
