Volume 9
Fahmida Haque, Afrana Anam Any, Syrin Jahan Ritu, Dilshat Rubia Dola, Lamia Tasnim, Ayub Nabi Khan
Email: afrana.anam@buft.edu.bd
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Jute agro textile that are naturally available, eco-friendly and biodegradable products that acts as surface cover materials and useful amelioration to eliminare soil-related constraints to crop production. Plants that are mulched are protected from harsh temperatures which keep the soil cooler. Mulching saves time and labor for a farmer and improves soil fertility. It loosens the soil and minimizes the extent of cultivation. A field trial was conducted at the Crop Botany Research Farm, Bangladesh Agricultural University to see the effect of jute agro textile mulches on onion growth and bulb size. It was revealed by the study that jute agro textile mulches had a significant impact on several parameters. Onions planted on the 21st of November exhibited superior agronomic characteristics leading to higher yields. Mulches of different GSM jute agro textile significantly enhanced growth and production and the highest crop yield of 2.50 kg was recorded from 600 GSM variant. The total yields from 600 GSM were higher as compared yarns from polythene or 400 GSM (which costs more to produce 600 GSM). As rains during the production season impede manual weeding, the use of herbicides is essential for effective weed control. Research indicates that use of mulching material reduces labor, pesticide and weedicide cost, water utilization and production cost and improved crop output. The enhanced output value resulted in greater returns over cost of production.
M Abu Darda, Shafat Ahmed Bin Kamal, Sabbir Ahmed Abir, Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, Shahin Hossain
Email: abudarda@buft.edu.bd
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In the last few decades, smart textiles have drawn the attention of human beings for their unique and substantial properties. With the increased demand for wearable smart textiles, comfortable, soft and flexible devices are required that will not compromise the comfortability of garments. A very efficient way to make such garments is to use conductive ink. Conductive ink can be applied in garments for imparting electronic properties to the base textile material like fiber, yarn, and fabric. Conductive inks are applied in the field of transparent electrodes as cheap, sensors, labels of biological sensing, marking of radiofrequency, super capacitor electrodes, photonics, transistors etc. This study attempts to review the information of carbon nanotubes, and graphene-based conductive inks-their sources, preparation processes, properties, applications, limitations and prospects.
Dr. Rumana Afrin, Dr. Sahin Akter Sarker
Email: r.afrin@fairgroup-bd.com, afrin.zr@gmail.com
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This investigation examines the determinants inducing worker well-being in Bangladesh’s ReadyMade Garment (RMG) sector. The study regards wages, health, workplace safety, gender equality, and education as key components of well-being. A qualitative research design, employing in-depth interviews guided by a semi-structured questionnaire, was utilized. One hundred factory workers from Dhaka, Narayanganj, and Gazipur District of Bangladesh participated. Purposive sampling was utilized to achieve diversity within the participants’ characteristics and experience in their workplace. Working environment, social support, economic security, and career opportunity are the four interrelated themes shape workers well-being. Thematic examination, as proposed by Braun and Clarke (2019), was employed to detect recurring themes. Unfavourable work environment as extended work hours, substandard wages adversely affect quality of life whereas social support boost performance. Economic security and training opportunity facilitates emotional well-being. Policy propositions include imposing safety laws, expediting gender-sensitive policies, launching emotional stress management initiatives, promoting cross-functional coordination, guaranteeing impartial wages, and integrating training for better productivity.The study extends understanding of well-being by integrating psychological and social dimensions alongside physical conditions. The study focuses on three industrial regions; future research should include other regions and employ mixed-methods approaches for generalization
Maharub Hossin Manik, Md. Ariful Ferdous, Nazia Muhsin, Faruk Ahmed, Md. Rafiqul Islam Manik
Email: ariful.ferdous@buft.edu.bd
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The garment industry of Bangladesh continues to experience rate of defects higher than international buyer requirements, where acceptable Defects per Hundred Units (DHU) typically range between 2–3%, particularly in sewing operations that lack robust quality management systems. This study aims toreduce sewing defects and improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) through the wellstructured implementation of Total Quality Management (TQM) tools. One of the sewing line producing short pants at Khan Fashion Limited was selected as a case study. Where Common defects named uneven stitch, broken stitch, skipped stitch, and puckering, were identified and systematically analyzed using basic tools of TQM named flowcharts, check sheets, histograms, control charts, scatter plots, Pareto analysis, and fishbone diagrams. These tools were applied to assess process capability, identify critical defect types, analyze the relationship between defect rates and production time, and determine root causes related to materials, methods, machinery, manpower, measurement, and environment. Based on the analytical findings and structured brainstorming sessions, appropriate corrective actions were introduced in the sewing line. The results found that the overall defect rate was reduced by 39.40%, achieving a final defect level of 3.26%, which aligns with international buyer requirements. Additionally, Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) improved from 73.26% to 80.76% in that sewing line. Finally, it represents that application of TQM tools can significantly improve product quality and operational efficiency.
Syeda Shagin Akhter, Md. Abdus Sattar, Sabina Yeasmin, Umasree Dhar
Email: shaginakhter@bou.ac.bd
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This study evaluates the current status of household waste management in ward 35 of Gazipur city corporation and explores waste management practices alongside the socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of the residents. A cross-sectional quantitative survey of 200 households was conducted through in-person interviews between February and April 2024 using a piloted structured questionnaire which captured demographics, housing and neighborhood perceptions, storage and disposal methods, access and frequency of collection and perceived environmental/health impacts. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and visualized in Microsoft Excel. Findings show that 30% of households store rubbish in polythene, while 81% use designated places for disposal. Most participants live within 150 meters of a collection facility, and daily collection was reported. Nearly half (48%) expressed concern about environmental impacts of open disposal. Periodic clean-ups and NGO awareness campaigns occur but remain inconsistent, leaving municipal collection as the main system. Therefore, municipal collection remains the primary system. This study contributes to existing literature by focusing on household waste management in the rapidly urbanizing context of Gazipur. The study offers valuable insights for policymakers, urban planners, and waste management authorities in Gazipur to improve household waste management systems by linking waste practices to socioeconomic factors
Shariful Islam, Md. Mohibul Islam Khan, Nahid Hasan Shakil
Email: mohibulche@buft.edu.bd
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This work investigates how a controlled alkali treatment modifies Borassus Flabellifer (Palmyra) leaf stalk fibers to create a high-performance and sustainable natural material. The fibers were exposed to 4% NaOH for 72 hours, resulting in pronounced structural transformations across multiple length scales and substantial enhancements in functional properties. Alkali treatment induced the development of nanoscale porosity (5-20 nm), which facilitated better moisture transport and increased moisture regain to 12.3%, exceeding that of traditional jute fibers. At the same time, fibril reorientation and the elimination of amorphous components raised cellulose crystallinity to 70%, producing a 3205% increase in tenacity (16.02 cN/dTex). Additionally surface activation through micro pitting significantly improved interfacial shear strength by 48% indicating strong potential for composite reinforcement. Statistical evaluation using ANNOVA, correlation analysis, multivariate regression and Weibull reliability modeling confirmed the significance of treatment effect while highlighting inherent strength variability characteristics of natural fibers. Despite challenges related to mechanical scatter and moisture induced degradation, the findings demonstrate that alkali treated palmyra fiber can be effectively engineered for applications in high humidity textiles, polymer composites and biomedical delivery system. Overall, this work presents a scalable strategy for converting agricultural residues into value-added materials and introduce a transferable tripartite optimization framework based on nanopore development, fibrillar restructuring, and surface modification for advanced lignocellulosic fiber design.
Mst. Afroja Aktar1, Md. Saidul Islam CDCS
Email: afrojaa1@gmail.com
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The global textile market is experiencing a substantial transformation due to the increasing need for sustainable substitutes for natural cotton. Due to changing global market preference, buyers demand, and growing environment conscious it is being considered for the country to switch from acrylic raw yarns towards natural cotton. This article examines how Bangladesh is currently moving from acrylic raw yarn to natural cotton in response to the changing global market. This study used both qualitative and quantitative data. The qualitative data collected through interviews and visits in the 6 factories support the quantitative findings. This shift provides the opportunity for innovation, green technology investment, and long-term financial gains. Challenges remain with the cost of sustainable cotton, supply chain interruptions, the requirement to develop infrastructure, maintaining the standard of international certifications, and educating employees. To satisfy buyers’ demands for sustainability and transparency, the change is speeding up supply chain reorganization and manufacturing renovations. Bangladesh could be at the front of sustainable fashion, which is standing in such a position that its ramifications on the environment, market value, and economic feasibility are going to be high. The study also explains the short-term and long-lerm repercussions of export-oriented factories, over-dependence on foreign cotton, and the environmental and social trade-offs involved.
