Bangladesh launches first large-scale water reuse facility

In a major step forward for Bangladesh’s Ready-Made Garment (RMG) sector and its focus on eco-friendly practices, the country has opened its first and largest Water Reuse and Wastewater Management Demonstration Site. The facility, located at Fakir Knitwears Ltd., shows a strong move towards saving water and improving how wastewater is handled in the textile industry.

This project aims to reduce the use of freshwater by 30%, supporting the goals set in Bangladesh’s Sustainability Water Roadmap 2030 and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6, which promotes clean water and proper sanitation. The site can reuse 438,000 cubic meters of water each year, cutting water use in production by 22%. The system has been tested for its technical strength and commercial use by a group of global partners, including Primark, H&M Group, Panta Rei, and others, with help from the UK Government’s SMEP Programme and UNCTAD.

This facility is the first key project under the newly formed National Alliance for Water Reuse and Recycling, launched in May 2025 by the Government of Bangladesh, the World Bank, and WARPO. The alliance aims to spread better water use and recycling practices across the RMG industry in Bangladesh.

The project also brings new job opportunities. It will offer skill training and create green jobs for factory workers, engineers, and maintenance teams, marking the start of a more environment-friendly era in Bangladesh’s industries.