How to Make Your Manufacturing Business Environmentally Sustainable

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Being an environmentally conscious business has never been more important. With increased media visibility and consumer demand, the push for sustainability has helped companies from all sectors reduce their carbon footprint while cutting costs at the same time. Like any industry, manufacturing is at the forefront of this new trend. If you’re looking to improve your environmental credentials as a manufacturing business, then this article is for you. Keep reading for top tips on how to create an environmentally sustainable manufacturing business.

Incorporate renewable energy

Renewable energy is a great way to reduce emissions. Solar panels are a fantastic way of harnessing renewable energy and the initial outlay can be offset by tax breaks from the government. Not only that, but solar panels could actually end up saving you money as your business will use less mains electricity at peak prices.

Update your machinery

Old machinery and equipment use a lot more energy than new, updated models. The same goes for power tools and other pieces of equipment. By investing in the latest models, you’re not only providing your business with valuable technology, but you’re also reducing your carbon footprint by using less energy to produce the same results.

Be sure to see what’s on the market before committing to a particular upgrade. Industrial machinery is expensive and difficult to transport. Some requires materials like cardboard and 12 gauge steel wire to ensure it remains in place. Do your research before committing to a particular machine and ensure the environmental and financial benefits outweigh the price and cost of transportation.

Minimize waste

Businesses generate a lot of waste these days, whether that be through packaging or simply through the production process. Try to minimize your business’s environmental impact by creating less waste in the first place. A great way to do this is to use recyclable materials for packing instead of single-use plastics, which take hundreds of years to decompose. You can also sell off your by-products to generate extra income.

Consider circular manufacturing

Rather than wasting products after they have reached the end of their use, consider circular manufacturing. This means you make components that can be easily disassembled and recycled at the end of their life instead of entirely new components. For example, imagine a chair that is made with plastic that can be easily taken apart for reuse or recycling. The extra work involved with circular manufacturing may seem like a hassle up front, but it could save your business in the long run.

Digitalize

The easier it is for your employees to access information, the more efficient they will be. Digitalizing your company’s documents can help you save money by cutting down on printing costs. It’s also environmentally friendly as it reduces waste. Try using cloud storage applications or document management systems to store and access files online.

Complete an energy audit

An energy audit is a great way to determine where your business is wasting energy. By figuring out the most efficient ways to use energy, you can save your company a great deal of money. You might even be able to sell any energy that was saved or produced back to local authorities for a profit.