Closing the loop: stakeholders unite to accelerate circularity in Bangladesh’s RMG sector
Bangladesh’s ready-made garment (RMG) industry is taking a significant step toward sustainability as key stakeholders come together to advance circularity and resource efficiency. A recent closed-door roundtable titled “Closing the Loop: Advancing Circularity in Bangladesh’s RMG Sector” highlighted both the urgency and the opportunity for transformation within the sector.
The roundtable was held under Phase 2 of the Oporajita – Collective Impact on Future of Work: Just Transition for Women in the RMG Ecosystem initiative. The program is supported by the H&M Foundation, co-funded by Sweden and COS, with The Asia Foundation serving as the backbone organization. The session was hosted by LightCastle Partners under the Bunon 2030 platform.
Bringing together policymakers, regulators, financial institutions, industry leaders, development partners, and technical experts, the roundtable provided a collaborative platform to explore scalable solutions for circularity in Bangladesh’s RMG sector. The discussion comes at a time when the industry is facing mounting pressure from global decarbonisation targets and evolving circular economy regulations, particularly from the European Union.
Participants emphasized the growing need for resource-efficient and responsible production systems to remain competitive in global markets. Representatives from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), DBL Group, and WaterAid, alongside private sector leaders, shared insights into the current challenges and opportunities.
Key issues highlighted during the discussion included the limited scalability of pre-consumer textile waste recycling, inefficiencies in wastewater reuse systems, and the slow adoption of enabling technologies. Participants also pointed to gaps in policy alignment and the need for more supportive regulatory frameworks to accelerate the transition toward circular practices.
Despite these challenges, there was a shared optimism that Bangladesh’s RMG sector is gradually gaining momentum in adopting circular approaches. However, stakeholders stressed that isolated efforts will not be enough. Stronger coordination, cross-sector collaboration, and ecosystem-wide engagement will be essential to drive meaningful change.
The roundtable concluded with a clear message: achieving circularity in Bangladesh’s apparel industry is no longer optional, it is a strategic imperative. By fostering collaboration and aligning efforts across the value chain, Bangladesh has the potential to position itself as a global leader in sustainable and circular fashion manufacturing.
