How to Make Your Factory Go Green
Recent years have highlighted the extent of environmental deterioration and its consequences. Climate change and plastic waste are especially becoming a growing concern. In the U.S., factories produce 30% greenhouse gases and 7.6 billion tons of industrial waste, contributing to rapidly changing weather patterns, diseases, and ruined ecosystems.
Many corporations are making the conscious decision to go green for a better future. Consumers also prefer to buy from companies that practise sustainable manufacturing methods. To ensure you do not lose out on sales and negatively impact the environment, consider incorporating the following measures to make your factory go green.
1. Renewable Energy
Fossil fuel energy generation is a significant cause of air pollution. Factories can now easily shift to renewable energy sources to lower their carbon footprint. Aside from being environment-friendly, renewable energy is also cheaper, and factories can even produce it themselves rather than relying on an energy provider to cut their costs.
Solar panels are a suitable way to generate renewable energy. They are quick to install, require infrequent repairs, last up to 25 to 30 years, and make up their initial cost within 10 years. Other renewable energy methods are swiftly gaining momentum too. The USA is the third largest hydropower producer worldwide and gets 8.4% of its energy from wind. In 2020, America produced 145GW of biomass energy and 17 TWh of geothermal energy. Rest assured; there are many options in the market if you are determined to move away from fossil fuels.
2. Smart Manufacturing Software and Efficient Machines
Another way to go green is by integrating manufacturing software into the production process. For example, a smart auto-booking engine manages your inventory, allocates stock, and keeps a record of what materials you require to create your products, so you do not order additional products and end up wasting materials.
You also need to maintain your factory’s machinery, repair it on time, and replace it when the need arises. New and non-faulty machinery is more efficient and requires less energy. Similarly, regular maintenance ensures the machinery is working at optimum energy levels. Utilising less energy in this way will help your factory go greener.
3. Sustainable Packaging
Factories are often criticised for putting their products into excessive packaging, mostly plastics, which damages the environment. To go green, factories should invest in sustainable packaging solutions.
Use recyclable packaging material such as paper cardboard: it is easily moulded and cut according to your requirements. You can also use containers made from recycled plastics. Bioplastics are also a good option, as they are made from plants and decompose quickly.
You need to ensure you do not overpackage your products. More material will contribute to more waste. Less-packed products are also cheaper to transport and allow you to save on packing material and costs.
4. Recycling Waste
Factories have a history of releasing their waste products into water bodies such as rivers, ruining ecosystems. As an environmentally-conscious business owner, you should contact professional wastewater pumping services to decontaminate the wastewater before it is discharged. Recycle solid waste back into the production process or sell it to companies that can recycle it. Depending on its nature, you may also compost it, sell it to fertiliser producers, or use it to produce energy for your factory.
Endnote
Factories are a primary contributor to the deteriorating environment and should also consider going green by utilising renewable energy, smart manufacturing software, efficient machines, sustainable packaging, and recycling waste. These methods will help rescue the environment and earn customer loyalty as consumers prefer to buy from companies conscious of their environmental impact.
