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Water Pollution and the Textile Industry in Bangladesh: Flawed Corporate Practices or Restrictive Opportunities?

Author

Listed:
  • Maiko Sakamoto

    (Department of International Studies, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 2778563, Japan)

  • Tofayel Ahmed

    (JADE Bangladesh, House # 66, Road # 08, Niketon, Gulkshan-1, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh)

  • Salma Begum

    (Institute of Development Studies and Sustainability, United International University, United City, Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh)

  • Hamidul Huq

    (Institute of Development Studies and Sustainability, United International University, United City, Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh)

Abstract

The textile industry in Bangladesh has been a great engine for boosting economic growth in the country. However, with great success came environmental deterioration. Untreated effluents containing heavy metals are being released into rivers from nearby factories, affecting the health of people who live along the polluted rivers. The existing law in Bangladesh, requiring such factories to install an effluent treatment plant (ETP), has not been effective in reducing environmental noncompliance. This paper aims to investigate the reality of the situation that the textile industry faces regarding environmental compliance. It is based on primary data collected from textile factories in Dhaka through a questionnaire survey with complementary interviews. This study especially highlights the barriers and difficulties faced by factories in the installation and operation of ETPs. The results confirm previous findings: Low willingness of companies to meet environmental compliance requirements and inadequate monitoring and enforcement by government authorities. In addition, we reveal that the dominant barriers to ETP installation are at the purchase stage, rather than the construction stage: ETPs are unavailable in local markets and the import tax is high. Institutional arrangements are required to improve this situation; this could include establishing a subsidy scheme that would encourage voluntary construction of central ETPs. We suggest that external pressure is essential for Bangladesh to change and the external bodies exerting such pressure should have objective measures by which to judge compliance; the quality of river water might be the only reliable measure of environmental compliance in this situation.

Suggested Citation

  • Maiko Sakamoto & Tofayel Ahmed & Salma Begum & Hamidul Huq, 2019. "Water Pollution and the Textile Industry in Bangladesh: Flawed Corporate Practices or Restrictive Opportunities?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-14, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:7:p:1951-:d:219202
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Khandaker, Shahjalal & Bashar, M Mahbubul & Islam, Aminul & Hossain, Md. Tofazzal & Teo, Siow Hwa & Awual, Md. Rabiul, 2022. "Sustainable energy generation from textile biowaste and its challenges: A comprehensive review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    2. Joshi, Deepa & Haque, S. & Nahar, K. & Tania, S. & Singh, J. & Wallace, T., 2022. "Public lives, private water: female ready-made garment factory workers in peri-urban Bangladesh," IWMI Books, Reports H050845, International Water Management Institute.
    3. Qinghua Fu & Wafa Ghardallou & Ubaldo Comite & Irfan Siddique & Heesup Han & Juan Manuel Arjona-Fuentes & Antonio Ariza-Montes, 2022. "The Role of CSR in Promoting Energy-Specific Pro-Environmental Behavior among Hotel Employees," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-19, May.
    4. Jennifer Liu & Roy Brouwer & Dilruba Fatima Sharmin & Susan Elliott & Leah Govia & Danielle Lindamood, 2022. "Industry Perspectives on Water Pollution Management in a Fast Developing Megacity: Evidence from Dhaka, Bangladesh," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-16, December.
    5. Maiko Sakamoto & Salma Begum & Tofayel Ahmed, 2020. "Vulnerabilities to COVID-19 in Bangladesh and a Reconsideration of Sustainable Development Goals," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(13), pages 1-15, June.

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