Promoting Sustainable Practices and Worker Protection in Bangladesh’s Jhut Sector: Policy pathways for a circular textile economy

This report examines Bangladesh’s Jhut sector, a large informal economy that collects, sorts, processes and transforms textile waste from the ready-made garment industry. 

As demand for recycled textiles grows, it explores how the sector can support a more circular economy while protecting workers and small businesses from increased risks and costs. 

Drawing on 12 clusters across 10 districts, the report examines the sector’s workforce and businesses, highlighting challenges, including low and unstable wages, limited social protection, health and safety risks, debt and weak bargaining power.