This article highlights the impacts of unsustainable manufacturing and explains the importance of eco-friendly factory setups. Topics included are:
- The environmental impact of unsustainable manufacturing
- Green manufacturing and eco-friendly industries
- Conversion of old unsustainable methods of manufacturing to eco-friendly methods
- Benefits of industrial symbiosis
How to make factories more eco-friendly?
Green manufacturing targets waste reduction, resource conservation, and sustainability across the whole manufacturing supply chain, from raw materials to product disposal. The following are some of the many advantages and goals of green manufacturing:
Energy efficiency
Green manufacturing uses tools and procedures that are energy-efficient in an effort to reduce energy use. Manufacturers can, for instance, install sensors to turn off equipment when it isn’t in use and employ LED lights or renewable energy sources like solar or wind power.
Reuse and recycle
Green production encourages the use of reusable, recyclable, and non-toxic sustainable resources. For instance, producers can employ bio-based materials like hemp or bamboo, recycled plastic, or non-toxic paints and finishes.
Resource recovery
By utilizing less material, reusing it when possible, and recycling it at the end of its useful life, green production aims to reduce waste.
For instance, producers can develop closed-loop recycling systems, use lean manufacturing practices to reduce waste, or create items that can be disassembled and recycled.
Sustainable supply chain
Working with suppliers to encourage sustainability along the entire supply chain is another aspect of green manufacturing.
This can entail employing ecologically friendly transportation techniques, buying resources from sustainable vendors, and encouraging suppliers to take social and environmental responsibility seriously.
LCA: Life cycle Assessment
The life cycle assessment (LCA) method is used in green manufacturing to examine the environmental impact of items over the course of their full life cycle.
LCA helps producers find opportunities to enhance environmental performance by taking into consideration the environmental impact of raw materials, manufacturing, transportation, usage, and disposal of products.
Why do we need green factories?
The environmental impact of unsustainable manufacturing processes includes air and water pollution, deforestation, and the depletion of natural resources.
- From the extraction of raw materials through the disposal of waste products, these effects can be observed throughout the entire production process. Air pollution is one of the main effects of unsustainable industrialization on the environment.
- Large quantities of greenhouse gasses and other pollutants are frequently released into the air by factories, which contributes to climate change and poor air quality. Many health complications, such as cardiovascular disease and pulmonary disorders, might result from this.
- Another important effect of irresponsible production is water contamination. Industrial garbage and chemicals are frequently released into local waterways by factories, contaminating rivers, lakes, and oceans. As a result, aquatic life may be harmed and drinking water may become unhealthy.
- Deforestation can result from unsustainable manufacturing, as businesses destroy forests to make room for commercial and industrial operations. Lowering the amount of carbon stored in trees, can harm ecosystems, decrease biodiversity, and worsen climate change.
- Unsustainable manufacturing techniques can have social and economic effects in addition to negative environmental effects, such as uprooting local communities, abusing workers, and destroying traditional livelihoods.
How to reduce the effect on the environment?
There are still some actions that the traditional manufacturing setup can take to lessen its environmental impact if it is unable to go totally green.
Symbiosis
Industrial symbiosis is likely the most effective action among the ones that may be taken because its strategy rewards factory owners for becoming eco-efficient rather than punishes them for breaking the law.
The concept of industrial symbiosis refers to the cooperation of various firms and industries to develop a more sustainable and circular economy. A closed-loop system where waste is converted into useful resources is created when waste products or byproducts from one business are used as raw materials or inputs in another industry.
For instance, extra grains or effluent from a brewery may be used as inputs at a nearby farm or wastewater treatment facility.
Lowering waste
The brewery’s wastewater may be used by the wastewater treatment plant as a source of nutrients for microorganisms that degrade contaminants, while the farm could use the grains as animal feed or fertiliser.
By lowering waste, saving resources, and encouraging the use of renewable energy sources, industrial symbiosis can have a positive impact on both the environment and the economy.
Additionally, it can encourage innovation and cooperation amongst other industries, opening up doors for new commercial ventures and enhancing environmental performance.
Sustainable products
Select Sustainable Products: Customers have the option of selecting goods that use sustainable resources, have little packaging, and are built to last. This can aid in resource conservation and waste reduction.
Sustainable proclivities
Customers can support businesses who are strongly committed to sustainability and eco-friendly activities by buying their products.
Customers may support the demand for sustainable products and persuade more businesses to embrace environmentally friendly practices by choosing to buy from these brands.
Awareness
Self-Education: Consumers can educate themselves on environmental issues and discover more about how various products and production methods affect the environment. They can use this information to advocate for more sustainable practices and make educated decisions.
Consumers may campaign for change by supporting laws and rules that support environmentally friendly manufacturing and advance sustainability. Contacting government officials, joining advocacy groups, or endorsing campaigns and projects that advance sustainability are all examples of how to do this.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it can be said that unsustainable manufacturing is a very big threat to our ecosystem but its cure primarily lies in the force of the will of the public.
The consumers refusing to buy products that are unsustainable and harmful has successfully and will always prove to be the most successful method of turning the industries or their methods eco-friendly.
Lastly, it would require a coordinated effort from the public and private sectors with a strong conviction that we must protect our environment at all costs. Industrial symbiosis at all scales with government policy will be the best step in this direction hence its implementation must be ensured and shall be facilitated by the government and society.
References:
- Neves, A., Godina, R., Azevedo, S. G., & Matias, J. C. (2020). A comprehensive review of industrial symbiosis. Journal of cleaner production, 247, 119113.
- Abbasi, S. A., & Vinithan, S. (1997). Environmental Impact of Industries on Suburban Environments. Discovery Publishing House.
- Kumar, S., Teichman, S., & Timpernagel, T. (2012). A green supply chain is a requirement for profitability. International Journal of Production Research, 50(5), 1278-1296.
- Mathiyazhagan, K., Govindan, K., & Noorul Haq, A. (2014). Pressure analysis for green supply chain management implementation in Indian industries using analytic hierarchy process. International Journal of Production Research, 52(1), 188-202.
- Dornfeld, D. A. (Ed.). (2012). Green manufacturing: fundamentals and applications. Springer Science & Business Media.