Waste management system in the clothing industry in Santa Catarina State Brazil: An initial overview

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify and diagnosis waste management practices used by clothing manufacturing companies in Santa Catarina state Brazil.

Design/methodology/approach

The data for this multiple case study were obtained from interviews and by using a questionnaire to collect company data. After the analysis of the responses to questionnaires issued to 22 companies, a scoring system was developed to systematically classify these companies at either a basic, intermediate or advanced levels.

Findings

According to the classification used, eight companies were characterized at the basic level, eight at the intermediate level and six as advanced. Most of the companies have already implemented measures for reuse or recycling of textile scraps, probably because of the economic value added.

Research limitations/implications

The classification system proposed proved to be an effective tool for identifying: if each company had a plan of action involving requirements of Brazil’s National Solid Waste Policy; if the company had a management system in accordance with Law 12,305; the quality of solid waste treatment at the entire company and in its clothing sector; if the company adopted shared responsibility actions; and if it had knowledge of the negative environmental impacts.

Originality/value

This paper presents a classification system for companies based on a questionnaire. The system allows determining the degree of compliance with Brazilian waste management legislation.

Citation

Correia, J., Forno, A.J.D., Marangoni, C. and Valle, J.A.B. (2018), "Waste management system in the clothing industry in Santa Catarina State Brazil: An initial overview", Management of Environmental Quality, Vol. 29 No. 4, pp. 594-607. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEQ-10-2017-0109