What are the many ways of Sustainable Manufacturing for Your Product?
There are many case studies of companies that have come to the realization that the environment and society are intricately linked. For this reason they have made efforts towards sustainable manufacturing as a way of ensuring both cost efficiency while meeting the expectations from customers.
“If you need a new process and don’t install it, you pay for it without getting it.”
— Ken Stork, Motorola
Some companies use ocean plastics and algae based resins in the production of their products. Others are reducing energy consumption, using lean manufacturing to eliminate excess movement, materials, and extra tooling. Another tile company uses recycled glass chips. Honda with its Green Path program reduces the use of materials and scarce resources making it easier to recycle and uses wind turbines at one of its factories.
“The most dangerous kind of waste is the waste we do not recognize.”
– Shigeo Shingo, leading expert on the Toyota Production System
Sustainable manufacturing for your product may include:
- Energy saving machines
- Using recycled materials
- Reduction of water usage
- Natural lighting
- Waste reduction
- Using bioplastics
- Using renewable energy
- Design products for reuse and recycling
“If you define the problem correctly, you almost have the solution.”
– Steve Jobs, Apple
Set objectives, review your environmental impact and decide on priorities for Sustainable Manufacturing of Your Product.
