How green the supply chain of apparel manufacturing companies in Sri Lanka

This research aims to study the Green Supply Chain Management Practices (GSCMPs) adopted and the challenges encountered in achieving a closed-loop supply chain in apparel manufacturing companies in Sri Lanka. By adopting a deductive approach and quantitative survey method and using a self-administered questionnaire, the study collects data from 102 Strategic Business Units of apparel companies located in the Western and North Western provinces of Sri Lanka. Descriptive statistics are used for analysing data. Results indicate that only a few companies have adopted all the considered GSCMPs making the supply chain a closed-loop while the majority of companies are focused on few practices. The most adopted GSCMP among the considered companies is green production, and the least adopted practice is green delivery. High transport cost is identified as the most common challenge that restricted companies from achieving closed-loop supply chain, followed by high inventory cost and lack of staff. These findings imply the lacking areas which need to be addressed in achieving a closed-loop supply chain in the Sri Lankan apparel companies.