Integrating Lean Manufacturing and Sustainable Technologies: Advancing Efficiency and Sustainability in the U.S. Fashion Industry

Abstract

Addressing the urgent demand for environmental sustainability and operational efficiency, this study investigates how lean manufacturing and sustainable technology might be integrated into the US fashion sector. To improve industry performance and reduce waste, the study's main goal is to find practical approaches that incorporate these two paradigms. This study is significant because it may offer useful advice to fashion businesses attempting to handle the intricacies of contemporary production requirements. The scope includes an analysis of how lean approaches might be used in concert with sustainable practices to promote a more responsible fashion industry. This study's main focus is the difficulty of integrating sustainable technologies with lean manufacturing concepts in the face of consumer expectations and market pressures. The study used a qualitative research methodology to thoroughly examine current practices and trends by analyzing secondary data from various sources, such as academic literature and industry reports. Based on the results, businesses that have adopted lean principles have improved product quality reduced waste, and increased productivity significantly. However, difficulties still exist, especially about the fast fashion industry's dynamism and the supply chain's intricacies. There are theoretical and practical ramifications to this research. Emphasizing the interaction between operational efficiency and sustainability in the garment business adds to the body of knowledge on these topics for scholars. The study provides practitioners with guidelines to successfully integrate lean and sustainable practices. Secondary data, which might not fully represent the subtleties of each company's experience, is one of its limitations. Prospective research avenues ought to concentrate on longitudinal studies that evaluate the long-term effects of these integrated techniques across various fashion industry segments and customer attitudes about the sustainability of lean practices. In the end, this study seeks to open the door for a fashion industry that is more ecologically conscious and efficient.