Bangladesh is among the most polluted countries in the world. A significant portion of this pollution stems from its industrial sector—especially textile, leather, and construction industries—as well as the wastewater they generate and the dense, unregulated traffic. The traditional brick-making industry has for decades been a vital part of the South Asian economy, particularly in Bangladesh.
This very industry, which provides livelihoods for a large number of people, is one of the largest contributors to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide (CO₂) and fine particulate matter (PM 2.5). Brick production, which largely relies on coal combustion, has particularly harmful health effects in countries with weak regulatory systems and limited technical capacities.
Against this backdrop, researchers from the Boston University School of Public Health, in collaboration with partners from Stanford University, icddr,b in Bangladesh, Greentech Knowledge Solutions, and the University of Dhaka, conducted one of the most comprehensive studies to date to examine whether and how the brick industry can become more efficient and cleaner without relying on enforcement or legal regulations.
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The study involved 276 brick kilns across Bangladesh between 2022 and 2023. The intervention included providing education, technical assistance, and practical advice to kiln owners on implementing simple operational changes, such as improved brick stacking methods, switching to biomass as fuel, and reducing heat loss in the kilns.
The results were encouraging: 65 percent of kiln owners adopted the recommended changes, which led to a 23 percent reduction in energy use, around a 20 percent decrease in CO₂ and PM 2.5 emissions, as well as improved brick quality and savings on coal consumption. One year later, researchers found that the improved practices were still in place—and had even expanded further due to their effectiveness.
Despite existing laws in Bangladesh that prohibit, for example, the use of firewood or require that brick kilns not be located near schools and hospitals, most kilns are still situated near schools, and working conditions are often extremely harsh. This industry produces 27 billion bricks annually and is responsible for as much as 17 percent of national CO₂ emissions and 11 percent of PM 2.5 emissions in Bangladesh.
The study by the Boston University School of Public Health, conducted in partnership with international collaborators, demonstrates that sustainability does not have to come from complex technologies and strict regulations, but rather from simple, profitable, and locally adapted solutions.
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