When you think about eco friendly and green manufacturing, what do you think of? Do you imagine a factory that produces solar panels for homes and offices, or a factory that makes wind turbine generators instead of petrol powered cars? Probably not! It is likely that your thoughts run along the same lines as millions around the world. However, eco friendly and green products are not only made in factories but they are manufactured in huge quantity in non-conventional ways.
What Does Eco-Friendly Mean?
The term eco friendly is usually associated with organic farming methods and products. However, it is now used in more generic terms to describe any production process that has minimal impact on the environment. In the past, this definition might have had more associations to conventional production. However, the increasing pressure from environmental groups and the ever-increasing awareness of people around the world about their responsibility to protect the planet has seen this term becoming much more common.
Sustainable production is the driving force behind eco-friendly production. How does this differ from the normal production process? Well, sustainable production involves a system whereby materials are produced in such a way that they create less harm to the environment as possible, or in some cases – no harm at all. This can be measured in many ways. Some producers are based in countries where pesticides, herbicides and other chemicals are used which can cause serious damage to the environment.
Eco friendly manufacturing also supports and promotes community sustainability. How does this work? First, the producer supports and promotes the local economy through taxation. This ensures that the local infrastructure is improved and the state benefits from increased revenue, employment and tourism. The production can then be distributed efficiently and effectively to maximize the environmental impact through the following methods: transportation, packaging, waste disposal and recycling.
There is a shift in how people view the need to reduce the production impact of goods to the environment. This is largely due to the increased efficiency of the production process. It also saves energy as it reduces the use of water, petroleum, coal and other nonrenewable resources. It is also more cost effective as the materials can be produced economically without compromising on quality and the end products are superior in quality.
Conclusion
Production needs to be environmentally friendly in order for a product to be sold in the marketplace. Companies are becoming aware that there is a social responsibility in producing quality goods that promote sustainability and the environment. Consumers want to purchase eco-friendly products. If the producers can provide goods that are friendly and attractive while at the same time providing high quality, they will win over the consumer’s heart.
Ultimately sustainable and eco friendly production in manufacturing is likely to significantly increase in the future. This is thanks to the fact that there are much renewed climate pledges that have been made by governments around the world in order to reduce overall climate change and global emissions across the world.