IMPACT OF GREEN MANUFACTURING ON ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN SPORTS GOODS MANUFACTURING FIRMS

Environmental sustainability has become a critical concern for manufacturing industries due to increasing environmental degradation, resource depletion, and regulatory pressure for sustainable industrial operations. In this context, green manufacturing has emerged as an effective strategy for minimizing environmental impact while enhancing production efficiency and long-term sustainability. The present study investigates the impact of green manufacturing practices on environmental sustainability in sports goods manufacturing firms located in Sialkot, Pakistan. Specifically, the study examines the influence of energy conservation practices, waste management initiatives, environmentally responsible supply chain practices, and implementation of environmental management systems on the environmental sustainability performance of manufacturing firms. A quantitative research approach was employed using structured questionnaire-based survey data collected from 203 respondents working in sports goods manufacturing firms. Statistical analysis, including descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analysis, was used to evaluate the relationship between green manufacturing dimensions and environmental sustainability outcomes. The findings reveal that green manufacturing practices have a significant positive impact on environmental sustainability, indicating that firms adopting sustainable manufacturing practices achieve improved environmental performance through reduced emissions, efficient resource utilization, and enhanced waste management. Among the factors examined, implementation of environmental management systems and environmentally responsible supply chain practices demonstrated the strongest influence on environmental sustainability. The study provides valuable insights for manufacturing managers, policymakers, and industrial stakeholders by highlighting the strategic importance of green manufacturing adoption in improving sustainability performance and maintaining competitiveness in export-oriented manufacturing sectors. The findings further support the promotion of environmentally responsible manufacturing strategies for achieving sustainable industrial development in the sports goods manufacturing industry.