Green Manufacturing Practices in Apparel Production: A Decade in Review

Why It Matters

Understanding the landscape of green practices in apparel manufacturing is crucial for designers and engineers aiming to reduce environmental impact. This insight provides a roadmap of existing strategies, enabling informed decision-making in product development and production processes.

Key Finding

The review identified many environmentally friendly methods used throughout the apparel production process, but found limited research on how these are implemented in developing nations or on the specific techniques used.

Key Findings

• A diverse range of green practices exists across product design, raw material procurement, fabric spreading, cutting, sewing, washing, printing, finishing, and packing.
• There is a notable research gap concerning green manufacturing practices in developing countries, where a significant portion of apparel production occurs.
• Further research is needed on specific garment manufacturing methods.

Research Evidence

Aim: To systematically review and map green manufacturing practices employed across various departments within the apparel industry over a ten-year period.

Method: Systematic Literature Review and Content Analysis

Procedure: Academic journal articles published between March 2013 and March 2023 were systematically retrieved from multiple databases. A content analysis was performed on 138 selected publications to identify and categorize green practices across different stages of apparel manufacturing, from design to packing.

Sample Size: 138 publications

Context: Apparel manufacturing industry

Design Principle

Holistic Green Production: Implement environmentally conscious strategies across all phases of product manufacturing to minimize ecological footprint.

How to Apply

When designing a new apparel product or re-evaluating an existing production process, systematically assess each stage (design, material sourcing, cutting, sewing, finishing, packaging) for opportunities to implement or improve green practices.

Limitations

The review primarily focuses on academic literature and may not capture all industry-specific innovations or practices, particularly those not yet published. There is also a lack of focus on developing countries.

Student Guide (IB Design Technology)

Simple Explanation: This study looked at lots of research papers about making clothes in eco-friendly ways. It found that companies are doing many good things, but there's not enough research on how it's done in poorer countries or on the exact methods used.

Why This Matters: Understanding the current state of green manufacturing in the apparel industry helps you identify areas where design innovation can make a significant environmental difference.

Critical Thinking: Given the research gap in developing countries, how can designers and engineers proactively ensure sustainable practices are adopted in these regions, even with limited direct research data?

IA-Ready Paragraph: This systematic review highlights the diverse range of green manufacturing practices implemented across the apparel production lifecycle, from initial design to final packaging. It underscores the need for designers and engineers to consider sustainability at every stage, while also pointing to research gaps, particularly concerning practices in developing countries and specific manufacturing techniques.

Project Tips

• When researching sustainable materials, consider their entire lifecycle, not just their initial production.
• Investigate how different manufacturing processes (e.g., dyeing, finishing) can be made more environmentally friendly.

How to Use in IA

• Cite this review when discussing the importance of sustainable practices in apparel design and manufacturing, or when identifying research gaps in green production methods.

Examiner Tips

• Demonstrate an understanding of the breadth of green practices applicable to apparel manufacturing, not just material choices.

Independent Variable: Time period of literature (2013-2023), Apparel manufacturing stages

Dependent Variable: Types and prevalence of green manufacturing practices

Controlled Variables: Peer-reviewed academic journal articles, Apparel manufacturing industry focus

Strengths

• Comprehensive ten-year scope of literature.
• Systematic approach to literature retrieval and analysis.

Critical Questions

• How can the identified green practices be adapted or improved for cost-effectiveness in developing economies?
• What are the key barriers to implementing these green practices in the apparel industry, and how can design overcome them?

Extended Essay Application

• Investigate the feasibility and impact of implementing a specific green manufacturing practice (e.g., waterless dyeing) in a particular apparel production context, using this review as a foundational understanding of existing approaches.

Source

A Systematic Review of Green Apparel Manufacturing · Environmental Research Engineering and Management · 2023 · 10.5755/j01.erem.79.4.34368