Eco-friendly manufacturing, also known as green production, has become a high-profile topic in business. Many companies are increasingly looking for ways to implement green production without damaging their budgets. Here are some of the steps they are taking and why they matter.
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Updating packaging
Excess packaging is a huge irritation for modern consumers, especially when it’s plastic. It’s also becoming increasingly expensive. Firstly, there is the cost of unnecessary materials themselves. Secondly, there is the cost of transporting those materials. Thirdly, there is the cost of recycling/disposing of those materials.
Many authorities around the world are actively looking for ways to push the cost of disposing of excess packaging back onto the business that created it. Even when they can’t do that, they can certainly make consumers aware that excess packaging leads to excess taxes.
In addition to minimizing packaging, consumers also want to see companies using sustainable packaging as much as possible. They particularly want to see companies minimizing their use of plastic. Where plastic is necessary (e.g. for hygiene reasons), they want it to be easily recyclable.
Choosing suppliers with care
It’s not enough for companies to implement green production in their own operations. They also need to ensure that their suppliers are doing the same. In some cases, this may require companies to support their suppliers in the transition to greener production.
For example, companies may need to place larger orders and/or make at least some payment in advance. They may also need to commit to working with a particular supplier over the longer term. While this can increase short-term costs, it can actually work out more cost-effective in the long run. It can also help to make a company a preferred customer.
Reducing the use of carbon
A business’ carbon footprint is essentially a reflection of its energy usage. This means that reducing it can also reduce energy bills. In general, the first step in reducing the use of carbon is working out where carbon is currently being used.
Businesses can then look for easy ways to cut back their energy usage. Once they start to feel the benefit of the lower costs, they can reinvest their savings into cutting their carbon footprint even further.
As in the consumer world, smart technology has played a key role in the push for decarbonization. It makes it possible to analyze energy usage both in real-time and over time. It also allows for much more precise and granular control over energy usage.
For example, it’s now much easier for businesses to heat or cool a specific part of a room instead of the whole room. The development of smart technology has gone alongside developments in complementary technologies such as LED lighting plus developments in clean energy such as increased use of renewables.
Minimizing the use of water
Water is another key natural resource and modern consumers want to see businesses doing their part to protect it. The process for companies to minimize their use of water is much the same as the process for them to minimize their use of carbon.
Additionally, companies are also expected to ensure that any water they do use is thoroughly cleaned before it is returned to the natural world.
