Assessment of Garment Recycling Technology Adoption Barriers in Bangladesh As A Sustainable Approach

Bangladesh remains one of the most influential players in the global ready-made garment (RMG) sector. In fact, it is currently the 4th-largest exporter of RMG to the United States, contributing USD 7.26 billion worth of apparel in 2024. While the U.S. generates textile waste primarily from unused or discarded garments on the consumer side, Bangladesh’s waste emerges mostly at the production stage. Recent estimates from 2024 indicate that the country produced 500–700 kilo-tonnes of RMG waste and an additional 15 tonnes of jhut (cutting scraps) during manufacturing.

At the same time, a powerful shift is unfolding in consumer markets. Eco-conscious buyers, particularly in the European Union and North America, are increasingly willing to pay premium prices for recycled or resource-efficient textiles. For Bangladesh, a major supplier to these markets, aligning with sustainability expectations is no longer optional; it is strategic. However, true adoption of recycling practices requires a deeper understanding of the obstacles standing in the way.

This is where systematic research becomes essential. By identifying the barriers to recycling within the RMG production ecosystem, Bangladesh can not only improve its own sustainability performance but also provide valuable insights for other major manufacturing nations such as India and Vietnam—countries facing similar pressures from environmentally aware consumers.

From Barriers to Solutions: Why We Use ISM

Although existing research allows us to identify key barriers, the bigger challenge lies in understanding how these barriers interact with one another. Some factors may trigger others, while some may act as root causes. To explore these relationships, the study employs Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM), a structured methodology used to map complex connections among variables.

How ISM Works

Expert Verification

We begin by consulting recycling and sustainability experts to validate the list of identified barriers. Based on their feedback, certain barriers may be added, revised, or removed.

Determining Direction of Influence

Once finalized, experts are asked to determine the relationship between each pair of barriers. For example, with two barriers, A and B, experts decide whether:

• A influences B

• B influences A

• A and B influence each other

• A and B have no relationship

Developing the Reachability Matrix

These directional judgments are converted into a binary matrix known as the reachability matrix, which becomes the foundation for model development.

Level Partitioning

The reachability matrix is then used to categorize barriers into hierarchical levels. Barriers at the top are often the outcomes, while those at the bottom are more fundamental or driving factors.

Creating the Digraph

Using these levels, a directed graph (digraph) is constructed to visually represent how barriers relate and flow into one another.

Where Theory Meets Practice: The Role of Grounded Theory

After establishing the structural model, the next step is interpretation. This is where the principles of grounded theory come in. If existing theories in sustainability, supply chain management, or organizational behavior can explain the connections between variables, they are integrated into the model. However, if certain relationships cannot be explained by current literature, they may offer opportunities to develop new theoretical insights a contribution that could be valuable not only for Bangladesh but also for the global discourse on circularity in textiles.

Final Thoughts

Bangladesh stands at a critical intersection of global demand, sustainability expectations, and industrial transformation. By using ISM to understand the deeper structure of recycling barriers and by integrating grounded theory to interpret these findings, the research aims to provide a meaningful pathway toward circularity in the RMG sector. Ultimately, such insights can guide policy, industry practice, and international collaboration, strengthening the sustainability leadership of Bangladesh and its peers in the global garment supply chain.