Sustainable textile industry: Balancing growth and environmental concerns in Bangladesh

Over the last three decades, the textile and apparel (T&A) sector has been the primary engine of economic growth in Bangladesh. The (T&A) industry’s widening contribution led the country to sustained economic growth, reduced poverty and increase in per capita income. Thanks to its competitive edge a large pool of cheap labor, easy access to power, and a huge job creation potential the (T&A) sector has become the most thriving industry in Bangladesh to date. But the pursuit of rapid economic growth has resulted in the explosion and hasty construction of textile factories and enterprises. The growing textile enterprises, most of which are concentrated in a few places, is taking a heavy toll on the nation's human health. ecosystems, that the environment as a whole. Thus, it is essential to approach the burgeoning threat of environmental deterioration, in a sustainable manner, which achieves a balance between (T&A) industrial development and inflicts the least possible trauma on the environment and human health. That’s because the nation’s biggest money-maker and job-creator has become one of its biggest polluters. This paper will analyze the root causes behind Bangladesh’s poorly managed T and A sector and its negative impacts on environment and human health and will mention some possible solutions to improve the environmental performance of this sector and ensure its safe development.