Sustainable work environment with Lean production in textile and clothing industry

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to discuss Lean Production (LP) as a work organizational model that fosters a sustainable work environment in the companies. This is achievable through some Lean tools and initiatives that, when applied to the work environment reduces the energy, water consumption, environmental waste and raw-materials consumption and improves leanness and agility. This paper focuses the Textile and Clothing Industry (TCI) and brings up proposals, initiatives and/or projects that are related with Lean Production aims. Traditionally, TCI had been greatly dependent on natural resources: natural fibers, dyes, water, energy among others and a high consumer of water and energy, especially in dyeing and finishing processes. At the same time, these processes have a water and soil pollution problem. In this manner, reduce the consumption of these resources and reduce pollutants should be a major concern for companies and individuals to achieve a sustainable development. In this paper, the authors also present some proposals of how companies may engage in such projects.

Cilj ovog rada je da se posmatra lean proizvodnja (LP) kao radni organizacioni model koji podstiče održivo radno okruženje u kompanijama. To se postiže pomoću lean alata i inicijativa koje, kada se primene na radno okruženje, smanjuju energiju, konzumiranje vode, otpad i konzumiranje sirovina, i poboljšavaju rad s manje ulaganja i agilnosti. Ovaj rad se fokusira na industriju tekstila i odeće i donosi predloge, inicijative i/ili projekte koji su vezani za ciljeve lean proizvodnje. Tradicionalno, ova industrija je u velikoj meri zavisna od prirodnih izvora: prirodnih vlakana, boja, vode i energije, između ostalog, i veliki je potrošač vode i energije, posebno kod bojenja i završnih radova. U isto vreme, ovi procesi imaju problem zagađenja vode i zemlje. Na taj način, smanjenje konzumacije ovih resursa i smanjenje zagađivača trebalo bi da bude glavna briga kompanija i pojedinaca kako bi postigli održivi razvoj. U ovom radu, autori takođe predstavljaju neke predloge kako kompanije mogu da se uključe u ovakve projekte.