Management: Gorman Sustainability Campaign - Case Study Example

MANAGEMENT: GORMAN SUSTAINABILITY CAMPAIGN Author’s name Institutional affiliation Contents Contents 2 Gorman sustainability campaign 1.0 Scenario being addressed Corporate governance as well as corporate responsibility is universally acknowledged as fundamental to business (Allen Consulting Group 2008). Additionally, they are sustainability systems which require the growth of practice and policy to curb the environmental and social implications of the daily operations. However, as much as many complex organizations have made notable progress, for medium as well as small enterprises, sustainability challenges remain. Sustainability is important to the way Gorman does business (Green 2008). By so saying, it means that, Gorman constantly works day and night to be more sustainable through the depth of their relationship with customers, the quality of their goods and services, the career paths of their employees and responsible and good management of their financial resources (Fairtrade Association of Australia & New Zealand 2009). Additionally, all this factors are made possible through a well stipulated culture of continuous growth and improvement. Gorman is a company that works to revitalize communities in which they are operating via innovative housing partnerships (Allen Consulting Group 2008). Moreover, as a respected industry leader and a trusted partner since the year 1984, Gorman specializes in preservation of cheap and affordable housing, downtown revitalization, workforce housing as well as the adaptive re-employment of important historic buildings (Green 2008). In simple terms, this report aims to advocate for Gorman’s change internally since the researcher works with Gorman. Gorman has had sustainability issues when it comes to packaging and its effect on the environment. 2.0 The aims of the campaign. In the year 2010, Gorman reduced tremendously plastic packaging of orders in bulk by whooping ninety percent in a period of approximately one year. In other words, this step has been universally recognized as one of the notable maneuvers up to recent times on the green front. Additionally, this step encompassed all the suppliers of Gorman since they simply employed one extensive bag to line a box as compared to the popping up of each product into one bag at a time (Allen Consulting Group 2008). However, this box was not deemed to be environmental friendly. Moreover, Gorman has an already operating campaign against paper bag packaging in which if an individual says no to a shopping bag apart from an unbleached recycled brown paper bag one, Gorman as a company will plant a tree for every three consumers who turn down bag packing (Green 2008). Owing to this fact, this campaign aims to recommend ways of packaging garments for aesthetics in a more sustainable way. 3.0 The crisis Packaging in fashion industry is one of the fundamental phases that need to be considered in terms of sustainability since it causes a number of impacts on the environment such as water and air pollution, white pollution and noise pollution as well (Pesticide Action Network 2009). In order for Gorman to cultivate a responsible business sustainability practice in garment production, it is of utmost importance that they disclose and comprehend all steps or rather supply chain stages such as retailing, consumer use, and textile and clothing production, fiber cultivation and to evaluate and assess the economic, social and environmental impacts of each supply chain stages (Green 2008). As much as the supply chain is multifaceted, there are small multi-business enterprises that have already cultivated the culture of responsible and sustainable business practice (Diviney & Lillywhite 2007). From the information on the ground, Gorman is one of the SME’s that have already engaged in sustainable business management. By way of explanation, Gorman is involved with more than a number of fashion labels and they should in one way or the other be recognized for their efforts. However, there is a thin line between the broader aspirations of sustainability as far as Gorman is concerned as well as their mainstream business practices. Garment production and processing is characterized by large water consumption of energy, pesticides, water and chemicals (Draper Murray & Weissbrod 2007). Additionally, it involves a complex and long sequence of roadmap and generates a significant quantity and amount of waste. Moreover, inefficient production causes substantial wastage as well as damage to the environment. The extensive water and energy employment in the processing and cultivation of raw materials, the care and washing of garments, textile production leaves a very vast environmental footprint (Allen Consulting Group 2008). Pesticide and toxic chemical employment water and land degradation, textile and waste disposal are some of the most common environmental effects that are caused by packaging, production and processes of Gorman Fashion Company (Pesticide Action Network 2009). Additionally, other issues relating to the environmental impacts include things such as air emissions most especially volatile organic compounds as well as excessive noise not forgetting dust and fumes affect not only the environment but also the workers’ health. 4.0 The opportunity As much as ethical concerns in the garment industry have recently taken spotlight, it is universally accepted that sustainability as far as packaging is concerned in the textile and garment industry has been one of the major issues in the fashion industry albeit in an invisible manner (Diviney & Lillywhite 2007). Additionally, any garment industry that proclaims to be ethical must take into account the sustainability of its processes and products. Statistics and studies have clearly indicated that, garment industries are ranked higher when it comes to environment pollution (Pesticide Action Network 2009). In other words, this is down to the fact that ,its packaging materials are basically made of materials that are basically toxic in nature and are also coupled with ancient and outdated fabric-dyeing processes that are known to be notoriously hazardous for the environment and clean water ways. Keeping and maintaining a highly competitive and innovative garment industry in any country most especially in Australia is a very primary priority (Diviney & Lillywhite 2007). By so saying, it means that, developing key core-competencies as well as responding to customer demands and expectations in terms of ethical fashion and packaging materials are very primary drivers of textile industries in Australia Gorman included (Pesticide Action Network 2009). Gorman must therefore seize the opportunity of being the best environmental conscious company by embracing sustainability packaging (FIA 2006). This will be achieved if it adopts a waterless dyeing technology which drastically reduces the quantity and amount of chemicals that are used in preparation of garment packaging materials, and the amount of energy and water that is generated and in the process, it enables faster dying procedure (Allen Consulting Group 2008). Furthermore, Gorman should implement a joined up technique that will enable it to evaluate and assess its packaging process through the entire supply channel. In simple terms, Gorman should establish a way of comprehending the entire supply channel of garment in terms of the processes used material and individuals under control of every phase, when it comes to packaging (Diviney & Lillywhite 2007). By so doing; they will ensure the longevity of design garment and its versatility 5.0 Call of action Promotional materials in the form of swing tags, bags wrappings are some of the already existing sustainability packaging materials that Gorman is currently employing especially the employment of plastics (Allen Consulting Group 2008). However, some of Gorman’s customers tend to believe that the garment is over-packaged. Owing to this fact, Gorman responded by establishing ways of curbing the effects of the already used packaging materials through better production and design processes and in the process, encouraged the recycling and the re-use of the packaging materials (Draper Murray & Weissbrod 2007). . However, in order for Gorman to improve on its packaging, it should encourage a Life-Cycle Assessment approach as far as packaging design is concerned (Draper Murray & Weissbrod 2007). By so saying, it means that, Gorman should incorporate a number of Life-Cycle Assessment tools in their design and production processes so as to comprehend the environmental impacts that are caused by different packaging options. One such tool that will be of utmost importance to Gorman is the Sustainable Packaging Coalition Comparative Packaging Assessment which is online design software. By way of explanation, this tool will ensure that Gorman makes more viable and informed packaging material selection as well as design decisions since it offers visual guidance via commonly used environmental indicators (Diviney & Lillywhite 2007). However, since sustainability metrics are constantly evolving, the best way Gorman should go is picking an LCA program and stick with it since employment of a number of tools may produce different outcomes. Moreover, after evaluating the environmental sustainability of their packaging materials mentioned earlier, Gorman should therefore choose single-serve packages (Allen Consulting Group 2008). In other words, this will increase environmental sustainability by increasing the level of garment consumption. In this case, garment should incorporate reclosable features that are clearly marked by the ‘best before dates’ as well as technologies that can remove the whole garment from its package (Pesticide Action Network 2009. By so doing, it will enable Gorman to move away from the bulk-packaging strategy to single-server which ensures smaller package to garment ratio hence increasing product consumption hence a better environmental sustainability strategy (Fletcher 2008). One of the main purposes of packaging is to inform the consumer and protect the product. In this case, the single-server effectiveness will be measured on how efficient it ensures that the product reaches the intended customer without harm (Fletcher 2008). Moreover, its sustainability will be evaluated by how best it ensures that the energy, resources and water used to produce the product is not gone to waste. By so doing, then the single-server package will be the cheap and better chance for Gorman to maintain environmental sustainability (Diviney & Lillywhite 2007). 6.0 Understanding the issue and its relevance Through their in store promotions, websites, the media and marketing, Gorman has come up publicly to commit itself as far as environmental and social responsibility is concerned (Diviney & Lillywhite 2007). For instance, Gorman has already chosen to involve itself with natural fibers where it is possible and in the process, it became the first company in Australia to establish and develop an organic range. Moreover, in 2006, it hired an environmental consultant expert for a period of nine months to conduct a waste and energy audit on its Vietnamese manufacturer and Australian operations (Pesticide Action Network 2009). As a result, the consultant developed a green guide for Gorman to assist inform sustainable decision making (Allen Consulting Group 2008). Furthermore, the green guide that was developed focused on environmental issues but it also considers social practices and standards that are categorized as fair working conditions. The packaging, design and management phase of garment production and processing are perhaps one of the vital stages that influence sustainability (Pesticide Action Network 2009). As much as realizing totally sustainable garment, careful decisions should be made throughout the supply chain cycle most especially when it comes to packaging in order to make a difference. Additionally, in order to make and produce sustainable garments needs the company to be more creative and innovative when it comes to packaging and design practices (Diviney & Lillywhite 2007). By so saying, it means that, the business owner, production manager and the designer need to put the sustainability effects into consideration right from the start and incorporate sustainability into their design brief (Allen Consulting Group 2008). In this case, this will make known the design attributes, materials, type, trims of garments, contractors, location chosen and processes used, the care and washing requirements, product information given to consumers and above all, packaging material used. 7.0 Target audience A common consideration revolves around fiber cultivation, selling, production, and design consideration, disposal and consumption phases. In simple terms, this are the building stacks of garment phases (Fletcher 2008). In other words, the target audience is suppliers. However, each chain of supply phase will vary accordingly depending on the complexity in terms of the enterprise, the production process, industry sector and global dimensions (Draper Murray & Weissbrod 2007). The supply chain of garment using merino tee which is basically an organic textile from Australia and the Forest dress from Vietnam provide some of the case studies revolving around sustainability issues in all stages of the Gorman supply chain as well as some of the identified gaps in business sustainability policy and practice (Raworth 2004). 8.0 Recommendations In order for Gorman to improve sustainability internally in terms of packaging, it should comprehend the entire supply channel of garment in terms of the processes used, material and individuals under control of every phase.by so doing; they will ensure the longevity of design garment and its versatility (Draper Murray & Weissbrod 2007). In other words, this will be realized if the management incorporates design principles that will allow the garment to be updated with ease, re-purposed and repaired. Moreover, to enact sustainability change internally, the management should analyze and understand the intended purpose (Fletcher 2008). For instance, make garments meant for everyday wear from fabric that is durable and needs minimal care such that it can be cleaned in cold water, does not need dry-cleaning or ironing and dries quickly. Furthermore, to improve sustainability internally when it comes to packaging, Gorman should incorporate recycled packaging materials where necessary (Hamilton Deniss & Baker 2005). This will only be realized if Gorman keeps tabs on the environmental audit report and implement the cause of action as far as packaging is concerned. References Allen Consulting Group 2008, Small and medium-sized enterprises and responsible Business practice: an initial investigation, Allen Consulting Group, Melbourne Diviney, E & Lillywhite, S 2007, Ethical threads: corporate social responsibility in the Australian garment industry, Brotherhood of St Laurence, Melbourne, viewed October 1 2015, www.bsl.org.au/pdfs/Diviney&Lillywhite_ethical_threads.pdf Draper, S, Murray, V & Weissbrod, I 2007, Fashioning sustainability: a review of the Sustainability impacts of the clothing industry, Forum for the Future, London, viewed 1 October 2015, . Fletcher, K 2008, Sustainable fashion and textile design journeys, Earthscan, London. Green, R 2008, Building innovative capability: review of the Australian textile clothing and footwear industries, Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra, viewed 1 October 2015 , . Hamilton, C, Deniss, R & Baker, D 2005, Wasteful consumption in Australia, Discussion Paper Number 77, The Australia Institute, [Canberra]. Pesticide Action Network 2009, Pesticide database, viewed 1 October 2015, . Raworth, K 2004, trading away our rights: women working in global supply chains, Oxfam, Oxford, UK Fairtrade Association of Australia & New Zealand 2009, Retail Fairtrade sales figures, Viewed 1 October May 2015, http://www.fairtrade.com.au/files/FLANZ-retail-figures- public- 20090402.pdf FIA (Council of Textile and Fashion Industries of Australia) 2006, TFIA Market Report 2006 – Australian textiles, clothing and footwear, TFIA, Melbourne. Read More