How to Make Your Manufacturing Process More Sustainable
The manufacturing industry is always changing, but the change that it’s going through this time seems bigger, more important, and longer-lasting than others. We’re living in a period where we have an existential threat hanging over our heads: climate change. And change, whether we like it or not, is going to come. In the future, there will be even greater pressure — from the public or the law — for sustainable practices in all areas of life, including manufacturing. So how can you begin your journey in this direction? We take a look at a few ways below.
Look at your Energy Usage
It’s unlikely that you’re spending too much time investigating your energy usage. You have other priorities, after all! However, it’s the energy that powers your worksite that will have one of the biggest contributions to your overall carbon footprint. So take a look and see if there are ways you can reduce it. There always is — and if it has been some time, you might find that there’s an energy and cost-efficient option you hadn’t yet considered. You won’t just be helping the planet: you’ll also be lowering your costs, too.
Get the Right Equipment
The energy intensive aspect of your operations will be your equipment. The machinery will be churning away all day, and it’ll also be producing waste, which, if it’s not disposed of properly, will seriously compromise your sustainability credentials. So take a look at upgrading. If your machinery is dated, then it’ll be nowhere near as energy-efficient as more modern options. You can also look at custom-designed oil water separators, which will help to reduce your chances of wastage spills. It’s all about finding the equipment and tools that will allow you to work just as well as you’ve ever done, only in ways that are better for the environment.
Innovate Designs and Materials
Of course, you’ll have a fundamental problem is the materials that you’re using aren’t environmentally friendly. Here’s where a little bit of innovation can go a long way. If you’re currently using environmentally harmful materials, then look to see if there’s a way that you can tweak your design so that you can use earth-friendly materials, without compromising the overall quality of your product. It might take some time, and will be a challenge, but it’ll set you up for long-term success.
Who Are You Working With?
It’s also important to remember that it’s not just your operations you need to think about: you must keep in mind the operations of the other companies that you’re working with. If they’ve got a terrible environmental record, then so do you, because you’re actively supporting them. Look at changing to a more eco-conscious company. Aside from improving your carbon footprint, you’ll be sending a message to other companies that those that don’t bring their practices into the modern world will be left behind.
With these tips, and a commitment to review and update your practices as time goes on, you can ensure you’re a bona fide green company in the long-term.