The textile sector is one of Bangladesh’s most important economic drivers, contributing significantly to employment, exports, and industrial growth. However, the extensive use of Chemicals of Concern (CoCs), including Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), during textile wet processing poses significant risks to the environment, worker safety, and public health. Strengthening sound chemical management and promoting safer production practices are therefore essential for ensuring a sustainable and globally competitive textile industry.
To address these challenges, the Environment and Social Development Organization -ESDO serves as the National Partner Institution (NPI) for the Bangladesh component of the regional GEF-UNEP Project, “Reducing Uses and Releases of Chemicals of Concern (CoCs), including Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), in the Textile Sector.” In partnership with the Department of Environment (DoE), UNEP, NRDC, and other national and international stakeholders, ESDO leads the implementation of project activities, including stakeholder engagement, technical assessments, capacity building, policy support, and knowledge management. The project aims to strengthen national chemical management systems, promote cleaner production and safer alternatives, and reduce hazardous chemical releases, contributing to environmental protection, public health, and Bangladesh’s commitments under the Stockholm Convention.
Background
Bangladesh is one of the world’s largest textile and garment exporters, with thousands of textile processing facilities supplying international markets. Wet processing operations, including dyeing, printing, bleaching, washing, and finishing, consume large quantities of chemicals and water. Although these processes are essential for textile production, they also generate hazardous wastewater and chemical residues that can contaminate rivers, soil, and surrounding environments if not managed properly.
Many textile facilities, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), face challenges in maintaining comprehensive chemical inventories, identifying hazardous substances in chemical formulations, and adopting environmentally sound chemical management systems. Limited technical capacity, inadequate information on chemical ingredients, weak regulatory enforcement, and insufficient stakeholder awareness further contribute to the continued use and release of hazardous chemicals.
Recognizing these challenges, the project focuses on strengthening national capacity, improving chemical transparency, supporting industry compliance, enhancing policy and regulatory frameworks, and promoting safer chemical alternatives across the textile value chain.
Objectives
The project aims to:
- Reduce the use and environmental release of Chemicals of Concern (CoCs), including Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), from Bangladesh’s textile sector.
- Strengthen national policies, regulations, and institutional capacity for sound chemical management.
- Improve chemical inventory systems and transparency among textile manufacturers and chemical suppliers.
- Build the technical capacity of government agencies, industry stakeholders, and SMEs on chemical risk management.
- Promote cleaner production practices and safer alternatives to hazardous chemicals.
- Enhance environmental monitoring and data-driven decision-making.
- Integrate gender-responsive approaches and stakeholder participation throughout project implementation.
- Support Bangladesh in fulfilling its obligations under international environmental conventions, including the Stockholm Convention.
Partnership Framework
The project is implemented through a collaborative partnership involving international organizations, government institutions, industry stakeholders, academia, and civil society to promote sustainable chemical management in Bangladesh’s textile sector.
- United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP): Lead implementing agency providing overall technical guidance and regional coordination.
- Global Environment Facility (GEF): Financial partner supporting project implementation.
- Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): Regional technical partner providing expertise on chemicals management, cleaner production, and policy support.
- Department of Environment (DoE), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: National executing agency responsible for project oversight and coordination.
- Environment and Social Development Organization -ESDO: National Partner Institution (NPI) responsible for implementing project activities in Bangladesh.
Key Stakeholders
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
- Department of Environment (DoE)
- Textile and garment industry associations
- Textile SMEs and wet processing mills
- Chemical manufacturers and suppliers
- Academic and research institutions
- Development partners
- Civil society organizations
- Women’s business associations and textile entrepreneurs
- Local government institutions
Together, these partners foster knowledge sharing, policy dialogue, technical collaboration, and collective action to strengthen chemical management, promote cleaner production, and reduce the use and release of Chemicals of Concern (CoCs) and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) across Bangladesh’s textile sector.
Major Activities
- Chemical Assessment: Map textile wet processing facilities, develop chemical inventories, and identify Chemicals of Concern (CoCs) and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).
- Capacity Building: Train government officials, industry stakeholders, and SMEs on sound chemical management and cleaner production practices.
- Policy Support: Strengthen national policies, regulatory frameworks, and develop roadmaps for safer chemical management.
- Industry Engagement: Promote cleaner production technologies, safer chemical alternatives, and improved compliance within textile industries.
- Research and Knowledge Management: Conduct field assessments, collect and analyze data, document best practices, and disseminate technical knowledge.
- Gender and Social Inclusion: Integrate gender-responsive approaches and ensure inclusive participation of women and key stakeholders throughout project implementation.
Expected Outcomes
Through collaborative implementation, the project is expected to achieve the following outcomes:
- Improved identification and management of hazardous chemicals across Bangladesh’s textile sector.
- Reduced releases of Chemicals of Concern (CoCs) and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) into the environment.
- Strengthened national institutional and regulatory capacity for chemical management.
- Enhanced compliance among textile industries with national and international chemical safety standards.
- Increased adoption of safer chemical alternatives and cleaner production practices.
- Better protection of workers, surrounding communities, and ecosystems from hazardous chemical exposure.
- Improved availability of reliable chemical management data to support policy development and enforcement.
- Stronger collaboration among government, industry, development partners, and civil society for sustainable textile production.
- Greater integration of gender equality and social inclusion into environmental governance and industrial sustainability initiatives.
Conclusion
The Reducing Uses and Releases of Chemicals of Concern (CoCs), including Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), in the Textile Sector project represents a significant step toward building a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable textile industry in Bangladesh. By strengthening national institutions, supporting industries in adopting responsible chemical management practices, enhancing stakeholder collaboration, and promoting environmentally sound production, the project helps protect human health, preserve natural ecosystems, and improve the global competitiveness of Bangladesh’s textile sector. Through sustained partnerships and evidence-based interventions, the initiative is laying the foundation for a more resilient, responsible, and sustainable future for the country’s textile industry.
