Sustainable manufacturing protects the environment and creates better businesses. So, how can your company get involved in this positive trend? It all starts on the factory floor.
What Is Sustainable Manufacturing?
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, “Sustainable manufacturing is the creation of manufactured products through economically-sound processes that minimize negative environmental impacts while conserving energy and natural resources.” In other words, companies that embrace sustainable manufacturing work toward maximizing efficiency, minimizing waste and reducing pollution. And this, in turn, benefits the businesses, employees and customers as well as entire communities worldwide.
How Can Your Businesses Building Sustainable Practices Starting on the Factory Floor?
- Conserve Energy
Searching for ways to use less energy throughout the production process helps the environment AND saves your organization money. What if you reduced your monthly electric bill by 10%? Potential changes range from low to high-tech solutions. For example, you could encourage employees to turn off the lights when they leave a room. Or you could use the Internet of Things (IoT) technology to monitor machinery performance, identify inefficiencies and thus develop more effective production methods. - Tap into Renewable Resources
Switching your factory floor over to renewable resources can build sustainability and reduce costs too. Alternate energy sources to consider may include solar panels, wind turbines and geothermal pumps. Of course, as with other sustainability technology, there may be a significant up-front investment. However, over the long term, your organization should end up saving money with correctly implemented systems. - Reduce Waste
Are you throwing away materials you could reuse? Could your manufacturing processes be better, faster and cleaner? Enlist your whole team to help you answer these questions by making sustainability part of your mission or core values. You may be surprised (and inspired) by many of the innovative and cost-saving ideas your employees recommend.
Is Your Organization Hoping to Improve Sustainable Manufacturing Practices by Putting Top People on Your Factory Floor?
Connectology would be happy to help! Our recruiters specialize in matching top manufacturing organizations with industry-leading talent in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin and beyond. We place engineers, managers, supervisors, sales representatives and more. Contact us today to find the employees you need to take your company into the future!
