Bangladesh has achieved a landmark global recognition in sustainable apparel manufacturing after HAMS Garments Ltd secured a United States Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED platinum certification with a record-breaking score of 108 out of 110, the highest ever attained by a readymade garment factory worldwide.

The Gazipur-based factory earned the certification under the LEED O+M Existing Buildings v4 rating system, reinforcing Bangladesh’s growing leadership in environmentally responsible garment production.

The achievement places Bangladesh at the forefront of climate-responsible industrial production and marks a significant shift in how the country’s garment sector is viewed internationally.

Two other Bangladeshi factories have also recently earned LEED recognition: Ecotrims Bangladesh Ltd (Unit 1), which received gold certification under LEED O+M v4.1 with 70 points, and Nafa Apparels Ltd (Unit 1), which achieved gold certification under the LEED Building Design and Construction (BD+C) New Construction v4 system with 65 points.

With these additions, Bangladesh now has 273 LEED-certified garment factories, including 115 rated platinum and 139 rated gold.

The country also hosts 69 of the world’s top 100 highest-rated LEED-certified factories, reinforcing its status as a global hub for green manufacturing.

Around 550 more garment factories are currently awaiting USGBC LEED certification, highlighting the sector’s sustained commitment to environmentally responsible production.

Industry experts said that although green factory development typically involves higher upfront investment, long-term savings from energy efficiency, water conservation and improved resource management significantly reduce operating costs.

The expansion of LEED-certified factories has also contributed to rebuilding Bangladesh’s global reputation following the 2013 Rana Plaza disaster, which killed more than 1,100 people.

Since adopting LEED standards in 2011, Bangladesh’s garment industry has increasingly aligned environmental responsibility with export competitiveness, positioning sustainability as a strategic advantage in the highly competitive global apparel market.