Modelling green batik industry – A strategy for sustainability in the craft industry in Malaysia

Over a few decades, industrial development has brought prosperity and wealth together with triggering unintended
ecological degradation. Therefore, a modern society has increasingly demanded industries to take responsibilities
for the effects of those business activities that have negative impacts on the environment. Increasing numbers of
businesses have shown interest towards adopting proactive approaches and practices, aiming to reduce these
negative environmental impacts. In order to ensure sustainable development, businesses as the main players in
development inherently need to consider the triple bottom lines – planet, profit and people. Yet until recently, not
many researchers in Malaysia as well as other developing countries are interested in conducting their research in
environmental strategies especially in the area of SMEs. The purpose of this article is to discuss a model of how
thecraft industry in general and batik industry in particular need to response to ensure their practices are conducted
in a sustainable manner. The industry is chosen because it is one of the main sources of water pollution and the
industry rate of compliance is the lowest as reported by the Malaysian Department of the Environment. The study
sheds light into the model of current environmental practices and the interfaces of environmental management of
the industry and increasing needs its stakeholders.