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Company Readiness towards Green Manufacturing - A Case Study in Readymade Garments

Corresponding Author : Mst. Nasima Bagumn (nasima-ipe@sust.edu)

Authors : M. N. Bagum (nasima-ipe@sust.edu), M. Rooy (moonroy178@gmail.com), S. Mazumder (satyenmazumder22@gmail.com)

Keywords : Green manufacturing, Readiness, Relative Importance Index

Abstract :

 Green manufacturing processes mitigate environmental pollution, save energy and maximize resource efficiency. Nowadays, Readymade garments are showing increased attention in achieving Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) certificate. However, LEED certification requires high initial investment and low profit at the initial stage. LEED comprises factors to alleviate energy and resource consumption in building design, transportation, and water usage. However, green manufacturing also requires criteria such as the participation of stakeholders, waste minimization in the production, sourcing and selling green products, etc., that are absent in LEED criteria. Hence, those criteria need to be considered in addition to LEED criteria while measuring company readiness towards green manufacturing. This research identified and prioritized other green manufacturing criteria chosen from the literature. The case study was performed on three LEED-certified, ten non-green, and one ongoing-green factory. The readiness based on LEED criteria and by combining other green manufacturing criteria with the LEED criteria was measured. Relative Importance Index (RII) score of other green manufacturing criteria denoted employee training and empowerment as the most vital criteria. Results showed the average readiness of 10 non-green factories based on LEED criteria was low (2.31 out of 5). After combining other green manufacturing criteria to LEED criteria, the readiness of 10 non-green factories upgraded from low to medium (2.63 out of 5). The competitive benefit of the LEED certification showed that achieving a LEED certificate helps attract foreign buyers and improves earning a contract for 3 LEED-certified factories.

Published on October 25th, 2021 in Volume 3 Issue 2, Engineering education policies, systems & future trends