Achieving sustainable performance is a challenging but useful tool for firms in this competitive environment. The literature highlights several avenues to address sustainable performance, but there is a lack of emphasis on common practices and strategies. This study examines the role of green initiatives, specifically eco-design, green purchasing and reverse logistics, in addressing environmental performance. Practice-based view theory is used to evaluate the influence of these common green practices on a firm's environmental performance. A total of 214 participants were approached to participate in this study and data analysis was conducted using AMOS. The findings reveal a significant and positive impact of ecodesign, green purchasing and reverse logistics on environmental performance. This study provides implications for practitioners, policymakers and academics regarding environmentally oriented business operations that could better serve manufacturing firms. Additionally, firms are encouraged to focus on easily imitable, easy-to-transfer and easy-to-understand practices to address sustainable performance.