Sustainability of Apparel Supply Chain in South Africa

Abstract

The researchers documented the sustainability characteristics of a cotton apparel supply chain in South Africa. In-depth interviews were conducted across the entire supply chain from cotton farmers to a retailer. McDonough and Braungart’s triple top line model was applied for identifying the three pillars of sustainability, that is, economy, equity, and ecology, and how these pillars influenced and impacted each other. Across the supply chain economic factors were the drivers for adoption of sustainable practices, and the ecology dimension was the weakest pillar. This suggested leveraging economic support within the supply chain would ultimately influence the sustainability of the supply chain as a whole. To develop a sustainable apparel supply chain in South Africa, it is recommended the economic challenges be identified and addressed to free up savings that can be invested in sustainable practices and to improve collaboration across the supply chain to add value to sustainable practices.