ANALYSING THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND FINANCIAL IMPACT OF FABRIC WASTE OF CUTTING DEPARTMENT: SPECIAL REFERENCE TO NOBELSWEAR GARMENT FACTORY

Abstract

1. Introduction Apparel products have become an essential industry for the local as well as global markets. Especially Sri Lanka's apparel exports make a significant contribution to the economy. However, the fabric waste generated during cutting has financial, environmental and economic impacts. It remains a critical common problem for the apparel industry itself. Nobleswear, a ready-to-wear garment export company, is no exception to this there are two main objectives, and the first objective is to make suitable proposals to reduce the environmental impact, economic impact, and social impact of fabric waste generated during cutting. The second objective is to show the financial impact on Nobleswear due to fabric generated during cutting. 2. Research Methodology According to this study, Nobleswear generated 26750kg of fabric waste during the three- month period, resulting in a financial loss of 23219504.7 to the company. This research focuses on the software used to draw the marker sheets and highlights its inefficiency while identifying storage methods that are done without proper standards. 3. Findings and Discussion The study further explores the use of advanced technology software such as Gerber AccuMark and proper storage methods. The findings revealed that a significant contribution is made to the fabric waste generated during cutting from the software, which shows an efficiency of 80%. By switching to the new software, i.e. AccuMark software, the fabric waste generated during cutting can be reduced by 50%, and the financial loss can be reduced to Rs.11609752.37. 4. Conclusion and Implications Moreover, when the fabric is stored in accordance with the prescribed standards, it leads to a reduction in the amount of fabric waste. This study provides an actionable understanding for other apparel manufacturers, such as Nobleswear Company, who face similar challenges, and the importance of adopting efficient practices in the cutting process. is emphasized. By implementing these strategies, it is possible to reduce costs and compete properly in the highly competitive apparel industry.