The country鈥檚 largest Water Reuse and Improved Wastewater Management Demonstration Site were unveiled at Fakir Knitwears Limited in Narayanganj on Wednesday, aiming to promote the sustainability of the country's readymade garment industry.聽
The launching event was co-hosted by Primark, Fakir Knitwears Ltd, and The World Bank鈥檚 2030 Water Resources Group.
According to the event details, the project is expected to reduce fresh groundwater extraction by 30 per cent, supporting Bangladesh鈥檚 Sustainable聽Water Roadmap 2030 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).
Moreover, this project would also enable the annual reuse of 438,000 cubic meters of water, reducing production water consumption by 22 per cent.
According to the company, the project was tested for commercial and technical viability by a global consortium of three renowned brands, like Primark, H&M Group, and Panta Rei, with support from the UK Government鈥檚 SMEP Programme and UNCTAD.
Lewys Isaac, representative of Primark, said that over 90 per cent of water bodies surrounding industrial factories in Bangladesh have been severely polluted.
鈥楾his initiative would serve as an inspiration to move away from such pollution gradually,鈥� he added.
Ziaur Rahman, regional country manager of H&M, said that to build a sustainable environment, everyone must work together in unison.
Meanwhile, H&M鈥檚 water goals included reducing absolute total freshwater use by 10 per cent by 2025 and 30 per cent by 2030, both against a 2022 baseline.
They also aimed at 21 per cent of water used in production must be recycled by 2022.
Moreover, they are also working towards having all supplier factories comply with the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List by 2030.
Fakir Akhtaruzzaman, managing director of Fakir Group, stated that a responsible approach in the garment industry would help protect the planet鈥簊 future and generations to come.
According to the company, by significantly reducing industrial freshwater withdrawal and enhancing wastewater treatment, the project would leave more clean water accessible to surrounding communities, helping to mitigate both water stress and local pollution.
Officials from the Fakir Group, Ministry of Water Resources, Department of Environment, BGMEA, BKMEA, French Development Bank, KfW Development Bank, World Bank, and various international development organisations were also present.
This initiative also served as the first significant demonstration under the National Alliance for Water Reuse and Recycling, established in May 2025 by the Government of Bangladesh, the World Bank, and the Water Resources Planning Organisation.
The participants expressed their hope that Bangladesh would remain a leader in responsible manufacturing, thereby inspiring the widespread adoption of water reuse technologies.
The adoption of advanced water treatment technology would also generate new employment and upskilling opportunities for factory workers, engineers, and maintenance staff, ushering in a new era of green jobs within Bangladesh鈥檚 industrial sector, they added.
