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Furthering sustainability efforts within the manufacturing sector is vital if we want to transition to a green economy that minimizes environmental impact. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. manufacturing accounts for approximately 24% of direct carbon emissions. What was once considered an optical gesture has become an urgent necessity in today’s ecological landscape. 

But what exactly is sustainable manufacturing, and what benefits can conservation practices produce for industrial production companies? In this article, we will look at sustainability in manufacturing by examining success cases and assessing the benefits businesses can reap.   

What Is Sustainability in Manufacturing? 

Sustainable manufacturing is commonplace in business practice. According to a NAM survey, 71.9% of manufacturers have a sustainability policy. But how does this actualize within workplace production? Using materials efficiently without depleting natural resources presents an eco-friendly solution. 

Companies must gain an in-depth understanding of the environmental impact of material waste, energy usage, and labor-intensive production. In the domain of manufacturing processes, businesses have several options for optimizing their operations without relying heavily on toxic materials. They can:

• -Conduct energy audits
• -Implement energy management systems
• -Invest in energy-efficient technologies
• -Transition to renewable energy sources

Sustainable Manufacturing Examples

Organizations that take sustainable manufacturing seriously are highly successful and include major corporations. 

BMW has expressed its commitment to producing electric vehicles. The company is now focused on reducing its CO² emissions down to 80% of its 2019 levels by 2030. 

Home maintenance product manufacturer S.C. Johnson implemented its Greenlist™ system to evaluate the environmental effects produced by the ingredients in their products. This review process impelled them to remove 1.8 million pounds of volatile organic compounds from their Windex glass cleaners while improving efficacy. 

5 Ways Sustainable Manufacturing Makes Environmental and Economic Sense

An increasing number of industries and manufacturing companies are implementing sustainable practices to streamline their business operations and respond to global environmental concerns. Here are five reasons sustainable manufacturing is beneficial from an economic and conservational standpoint.

1. Minimizes Energy Expenses

Switching from fossil fuel-burning products to renewable solutions can help businesses reduce energy expenditures, and companies should seek to implement new alternatives to conventional options in order to minimize their electricity usage. This could mean opting for a simple substitute such as CFL lightbulbs, which use around 70% less energy than incandescent bulbs.  

Manufacturers can also routinely inspect their equipment to assess signs of excessive energy usage and determine the best course of action while minimizing costs of new equipment.  

2. Provides Tax Incentives

Federal and state-level programs incentivize manufacturers to pursue sustainable practices by offering tax breaks and reductions. Small to mid-size manufacturers can qualify for a free assessment conducted by DOE Industrial Assessment Centers. 

This branch helps companies assess opportunities for sustainable savings, reduced labor waste, and competitive advantages. Typical yearly savings amount to an impressive $130,000 per manufacturer.  

3. Increases Operational Productivity

By identifying opportunities for eco-friendly manufacturing, companies can maximize productivity and keep workers safe. A green labor approach minimizes employee harm frequently caused by toxic components. 

Green manufacturing also opens the door for management to establish solutions that streamline their production lines.

4. Improves Brand Reputation and Generates Profits

Today’s corporate landscape is confronted with a demand for social responsibility and accountability. According to a survey from McKinsey & Co., 66% of all respondents (and 75% of millennials) consider sustainability before making a luxury purchase. 

Moving forward, companies should expect consumers to prioritize green initiatives. 

In opting for sustainable strategies, manufacturers can strengthen their company’s reputation, meet customer expectations, and incentivize consumers to select their services over others, thus increasing business profits.

5. Minimizes Environmental Impact

The impact of climate change is becoming glaringly evident through record floods, blazing wildfires, and flaring heat waves. While the magnitude of these climate-altering events seems unmanageable, this is not the case. 

Manufacturers should take the first step in establishing a collective effort to stabilize environmental volatility by pursuing effective solutions that reduce carbon footprints in the long run.

Maximize Sustainability with Nanotronics

As evidenced by the above, sustainable manufacturing practices can streamline production, generate profit growth, and make an influential statement about ongoing endeavors to preserve our climate. If you want to learn more about innovative ways you can advance environmentally friendly manufacturing efforts, Nanotronics is ready to serve you. We provide full-factory machine learning solutions to automate supply chains while reducing waste. 

We offer revolutionary products with self-improving capabilities that fulfill your company’s manufacturing needs. Discover the intersection of quality assurance and sustainability with nSpec®, the world’s most advanced AOI tool. Contact us to learn more about our products and services.