Are you familiar with green manufacturing?
It’s an idea that’s been around for quite some time, and recently it has become more popular as the benefits of eco-friendly manufacturing efforts have continued to grow. Here’s take a look at what green manufacturing is and how it can benefit manufacturers.
What is Green Manufacturing?
Green manufacturing is the renewal of production processes and the establishment of environmentally-friendly operations within the manufacturing field. Essentially, it is the “greening” of manufacturing, in which workers use fewer natural resources, reduce pollution and waste, recycle and reuse materials, and moderate emissions in their processes. Green manufacturers research, develop, or utilize technologies and practices to lessen their impact on the environment. As per the Labor Statistics, workers at green companies must have specific manufacturing training in green technologies and practices such as:
Energy from renewable sources: Workers may generate electricity, heat, or fuel from renewable sources for use within their establishment. These sources may include wind, biomass, geothermal, solar, ocean, hydropower, landfill gas and municipal solid waste.
Energy efficiency: Workers will utilize specific technologies and practices to improve energy efficiency within their establishment.
Pollution reduction and removal, greenhouse gas reduction, and recycling; Workers will use green technologies and practices to:
- Reduce or remove the creation or release of pollutants in their operations
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- Reduce or eliminate the creation of waste materials
- Collect, reuse, recycle or compost waste materials
- Natural resources conservation: Workers will use specific technologies and practices to conserve natural resources, such as those related to organic agriculture, land management, and soil, water, or wildlife conservation.
How is Green Manufacturing Beneficial?
Not only does green manufacturing benefit the environment, but growing numbers of businesses throughout the country are finding that a focus on recycling and the reduction of waste can benefit their business as a whole. Business owners are seeing improved bottom line and employees are witnessing an increase in motivation, morale, and public relations.
Green Manufacturing in the Automotive Industry Green Manufacturing has become important strategic tools that companies operating in the Automotive Industry and are using increasingly to differentiate themselves from their competitors. Automobile companies are utilizing various green practices and not only saving cost but creating environment conscious brand image for itself increasing its competitiveness in the market. The main focus is on saving energy and water and reduces amounts of wastes generated and CO2 emissions. Post industrialization, the automotive sector has been the main source of employment and economic growth as well as the most critiqued industry as the major polluters of the environment. In spite of its benefits, its harms are numerous like air pollution, road congestion, Green House Gas emissions, noise pollution, etc. Car manufacturing companies have been trying various innovative ways to control their environmental impact through eco-friendly design, efficient production systems, and eco-friendly materials for car components, fuel-efficient engines and whatnot. The mass production of cars utilizing Toyota Production System’s JIT and modular consortium have helped them a lot to streamline their production systems and reduce their environmental impact. To have more efficient production assembly lines, the automotive industries deployed Robots and are accountable for 62% utilization of robots in the world. They are using green buildings, green supply chains, reverse logistics and innovation as the way forward.
