Bangladesh’s textile waste crisis spurs recycling push
Bangladesh, the second-largest apparel exporter globally, is facing a mounting textile waste crisis, generating nearly 577,000 metric tons of waste annually. The vast majority of this waste originates from pre-consumer sources like cutting scraps and defective garments. Unfortunately, much of this is either exported at low prices, dumped in landfills, or incinerated, contributing to severe environmental degradation and missed economic opportunities.
The domestic recycling ecosystem remains underdeveloped due to a lack of investment, technological constraints, and limited awareness among manufacturers. However, a shift is underway. Industry stakeholders, startups, and global investors are now focusing on converting textile waste into a circular economy opportunity. Notable players like Recycle Raw and Broadway Regenerated Fiber are investing in localized recycling infrastructure, including mechanical and chemical recycling techniques.
Experts highlight that for Bangladesh to fully harness the potential of textile-to-textile recycling, there must be coordinated policy support, financial incentives, and stronger buyer-supplier collaboration. The EU’s due diligence laws and brand-level circularity commitments are pressuring Bangladeshi exporters to demonstrate traceable, low-waste practices.
Local efforts are also being bolstered by international NGOs and development partners like GIZ and H&M Foundation, which are funding pilot projects and research into scalable solutions. If Bangladesh can formalize waste collection, invest in scalable recycling facilities, and embed circular practices across its supply chain, the country can position itself as a global leader in sustainable apparel manufacturing.
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