A Study of Voluntary Environmental Management Practices among Apparel Manufactures in Sri Lanka Case Study Approach

Abstract

Textile and apparel industry contributes to 27% of industrial sector in Sri Lanka. This sectorcontributes to earn the largest export income for Sri Lanka during the last two decades. Thereare different types of textile and apparel producers such as knitted apparel manufactures,woven apparel manufactures, weaving operators, fabric producers, washing and dyeingoperators etc. With the increasing share of contribution to the national economy the level ofindustrial pollution has also recorded a significant level of increases. Specially, washgarments and dyeing garments have contributed to significant level of water pollution in anycountry. Solutions are provided either in terms of mandatory regulations or voluntarymeasures. Some of the leading textile and apparel manufactures in Sri Lanka practicevoluntary environmental mechanisms to protect the environment.

This study examines different voluntary environmental management practices among textileand apparel manufactures in Sri Lanka. Case study approach is used to achieve studyobjectives. Ten cases were selected from the list of registered apparel manufactures at theBoard of Investment in Sri Lanka. Ten factories represent both ISO 14001 certified factoriesand non-certified factories. They were randomly selected from the list, which is afteridentifying certified and non certified companies separately. Data were collected based on indepthinterviews using a structured questionnaire. Each factory is considered as a separatefacility as unit of analysis. Interviews are conducted with senior level manager who isfamiliar with production process and compliances in the factory. Data were presented usinggraphs, tables and charts. Study found some common environmental systems in the factorieswhich have ISO 14001. The most common practices are waste management systems, waterrecycling, energy use monitoring, and establishment of environmental management systemsat the factory. In additionally, the study also examined the reasons for adopting suchenvironmental management systems by the producers. Accordingly, buyers’ pressure andowners’ pressure are found to be the main factors for this adoption decision.