{"id":2205,"date":"2026-04-13T20:03:08","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T20:03:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.ufv.ca\/business\/?p=2205"},"modified":"2026-04-13T20:03:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T20:03:08","slug":"new-ivey-case-mcc-centre-sustainable-solutions-for-clothing-waste","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ufv.ca\/business\/2026\/04\/13\/new-ivey-case-mcc-centre-sustainable-solutions-for-clothing-waste\/","title":{"rendered":"New Ivey Case: MCC Centre: Sustainable Solutions for Clothing Waste"},"content":{"rendered":"

New Ivey Case: MCC Centre: Sustainable Solutions for Clothing Waste<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A new Ivey Business School case, MCC Centre: Sustainable Solutions for Clothing Waste Management<\/em><\/a>, examines a challenge unfolding right here in Abbotsford, British Columbia.<\/p>\n

The case follows the Social Enterprise Director of the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Centre Thrift Shop as she confronts a growing and complex issue: what to do with unsalable donated clothing. While thrifting continues to rise in popularity, the volume of donations \u2013 particularly low-quality or unsalable items \u2013 has created significant downstream consequences, including landfilling and exporting textiles.<\/p>\n

At its core, the case centres on a difficult balancing act: reducing clothing waste while preserving donation flows, maintaining strong financial performance, and staying aligned with the organization\u2019s mission and community commitments.<\/p>\n

Authors<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Developed by Dr. Saeed Rahman<\/strong>, Associate Professor in the School of Business at the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV), alongside Dr. Stefania Pizzirani<\/strong> of UFV\u2019s Environmental Studies program, the case reflects an interdisciplinary approach to a complex operational and sustainability challenge.<\/p>\n

Dr. Rahman\u2019s research focuses on how organizations adapt to environmental constraints \u2013 particularly how businesses respond to ecosystem degradation and resource limitations without undermining long-term resilience. That perspective is evident throughout the case, which treats clothing waste not just as an operational issue, but as part of a broader system of interdependencies.<\/p>\n

Dr. Pizzirani brings complementary expertise in environmental systems, resource management, and community-engaged research, strengthening the case\u2019s grounding in ecological realities and stakeholder complexity.<\/p>\n

Teaching Application<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Designed for both undergraduate and graduate classrooms, the case is well suited for courses in sustainability, strategy, operations, innovation, and social enterprise.<\/p>\n

Students working through the case are asked to evaluate trade-offs and develop actionable approaches. In doing so, they will:<\/p>\n