Abstract
The apparel industry’s contribution to the gross domestic product in South Asian countries is significant and provides livelihoods for millions of people in this region. Although this industry’s contribution towards the economy is substantial, its negative impact on the environment and the working conditions have always been critical issues of concern. The two countries of emphasis in this research, Bangladesh, and India, have experienced numerous garment factory accidents in the form of building collapses, factory fires, and boiler explosions, which have killed and injured thousands of workers. These incidents have brought attention on the need to improve poor facilities and working condition. As a result, it was felt that implementing sustainable practices in the apparel facilities will result in better facilities and improved working conditions and, that would lead to increased employee productivity and fewer occupational hazards, illnesses, and mishaps. This aspect is especially emphasized by the importers in the United States, who believe that an effective method for a factory facility to implement sustainable practices is by obtaining an international green building certification, such as, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). The main objective of this research is to analyze recent LEED certified apparel factories in South Asia to compile data and strategies with the goal to help promote LEED certification for this industry. To achieve this goal, 17 LEED certified apparel factories in Bangladesh and India were investigated to highlight the LEED credits that were either most frequently adopted or avoided. Among those 17 factories, one factory that received the highest LEED Platinum score was then studied in detail, as a case study project, to understand the different strategies employed by them to earn LEED credits. Based on the literature review, LEED credit analysis, and lessons learned from the case study, different strategies for LEED implementation were compiled. The authors envision that the lessons learned, and the strategies outlined in this research will promote the adoption of the sustainable practices for the facilities and operations of the apparel exporting factories.
Recommended Citation
Anilkuma, Sree L.; Berghorn, George H.; and Syal, M.G. Matt
(2024)
"SUSTAINABILITY OF APPAREL EXPORTING INDUSTRY FACILITIES IN SOUTH ASIA,"
The Professional Constructor: Vol. 49:
No.
1, Article 2.
Available at:
https://open.clemson.edu/aic-journal/vol49/iss1/2
