From Guest Blogger Meghan Belnap: Four Ways Manufacturers Are Going Green
With the recent scientific development behind global warming and its associated array of problems, it has become paramount for large manufacturers to become more environmentally friendly. Luckily, companies across the globe have taken the initiative to go green and develop business centered on sustainability and health.
Building Lasting Materials
With the continual outcry for greener processes, manufacturers have started producing machinery that lasts longer and creates less waste after the machinery no longer works. For example, Ceramic Technology has enhanced steel equipment by extending its life 10 times over standard equipment. Ceramic lining not only drastically cuts down on waste and excess of broken machinery, but reduces noise as well.
Reducing Carbon Footprint
Other companies attempt to reduce the pollutants released by the production process of their items. Lego, for instance, has recently stated an initiative that will take place over the next 15 years and cost the company $150 million. The plan is to make Lego products and its packaging more degradable and eco-friendly. In past years, Lego products were infamous for its permanence in land-fills. With new developments their product is more likely to break down over time. In addition they are seeking ways to make their production process more efficient by using renewable energy, like wind power.
Cars Emitting Less Pollutants
Car companies are one of the biggest environmentally harmful contributors. Recently they have attempted to change that by cutting down the pollutants released by their vehicles. Ford intends to make their newest models of the Ford Escape and Ford Focus up to 80% recyclable. In addition, they continually strive to earn the EPA’s Energy Star Award.
Green Products
Some companies, like General Electric, have long been devoted to developing and selling products that are very eco-friendly. Since 2006, they have sold solar panels to consumers through their Ecomagination line. With campaigns created to raise awareness for the changes being made, the public has seen an increase in environmentally friendly production.
Progress and creation doesn’t have to equal harm and destruction to the environment. As companies incorporate more eco-friendly solutions to their development process, not only do they reduce their carbon footprint but it’s also good for business. Surely in the coming years we will see more manufacturers follow suit as technology increases and they take it upon themselves to change the way harmful chemicals and gases are emitted into the environment.
From the article: “With the continual outcry for greener processes, manufacturers have started producing machinery that lasts longer and creates less waste after the machinery no longer works.”
True, but not to the extent necessary. I had to scrap a washing machine because in the timer a pair of electrical contacts was burned out and there was no provision to replace the contacts. I could have got a new timer, but that would have cost almost as much as a new washing machine. Clearly home equipment and appliances could be designed to make repair easy and inexpensive.
Also, the manufacturing processes for steel and concrete emit huge amounts of CO2. Changing production methods could eliminate that, but it would be expensive. Perhaps it should be done anyway.
But ultimately, we will need to stop using fossil fuels and migrate to a power technology which will proved reliable power at all times and not just intermittently.