Title: Implementation of green manufacturing concepts: a case study of tea manufacturing industry in Sri Lanka

Authors: Madhawee Jayarathne; Jayasena Dissanayake; Asankha Pallegedara

Addresses: Department of Industrial Management, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Lional Jayathilake Mawatha, Kuliyapitiya 60200, Sri Lanka ' Department of Industrial Management, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Lional Jayathilake Mawatha, Kuliyapitiya 60200, Sri Lanka ' Department of Industrial Management, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Lional Jayathilake Mawatha, Kuliyapitiya 60200, Sri Lanka

Abstract: The objective of this study is to identify the potential implementation of green manufacturing concepts on medium scale tea industries in Sri Lanka. Five medium scale tea factories located in southern province were selected as the sample and case study approach was followed. The data were collected through regular factory observations and secondary sources including published reports and documents of the companies. Material and energy flow diagram was used as the main tool for the analysis. The result reveals that there are significant environmental issues such as large-scale raw material wastage, and high level of energy, water consumption and harmful emissions. This study suggests that energy consumption can be reduced by introducing new equipment, methods and systems such as installing variable speed motors, power factor correction capacitors, variable frequency drivers, replacing light emitting diodes (LEDs) with compact fluorescents, implementing well-planned production schedules, and fixing net metering system and solar panels.

Keywords: green manufacturing; SMEs; energy consumption; water consumption; tea industry; Sri Lanka; material and energy flow diagram; fermentation process.

DOI: 10.1504/IER.2020.106193

Interdisciplinary Environmental Review, 2020 Vol.20 No.2, pp.186 - 194

Received: 26 Jul 2019
Accepted: 21 Aug 2019
Published online: 01 Apr 2020 *

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