Industries embracing Sustainability

Manufacturing

Sustainable manufacturing is a process of creating manufactured products that have a low environmental impact, conserve energy and natural resources, and are safe for employees, communities, and consumers. The overarching goal of sustainable manufacturing is to gain a comprehensive view of the product cycle and optimize the lifecycle of manufacturing systems, products, and services. Sustainable manufacturing not only produces more sustainable products but also makes manufacturing processes more sustainable, increasing a company’s total social and environmental benefits.

Sustainable manufacturing: Closed-looped industry

• Sustainable manufacturing

Process optimization reduces negative environmental impacts while conserving energy and natural resources. This improves the safety of employees, the community, and the product.

• Optimization of production processes and techniques

Enhanced production methods and operations through continuous performance improvement. Production quality control, fewer manufacturing steps IoT, automation, and 3D printing are examples of manufacturing innovations. Lower production and labor costs, as well as increased efficiency

• Increased energy efficiency

Energy consumption is low/clean/renewable. Reduce the amount of energy used in production.

• Producing less pollution, emission, and waste

Reduced waste disposal costs. Cleaner and safer working conditions

• Industrial symbioses

Industrial symbiosis mimics sustainable natural cycles in industrial networks by reusing all discarded materials from one. Prototyping new manufacturing setups for “Industry 4.0” production systems.

• Design for remanufacturing

Dismantle it into usable parts that can be reused in another product. Enhancement in the areas of assembly, reparability, refurbishment, and disassembly.

Sustainability in construction

As per the Supply Chain Sustainability School, building construction projects in OECD countries use:

• 25-40% of total energy
• 30% of raw materials
• 30-40% of global greenhouse gas emissions;
• 30-40% of solid waste generation

As a result, sustainable construction is emerging as a viable solution.

The challenges facing sustainable construction 

There is a common misconception that sustainable construction is expensive, making it appear to be the less appealing option. However, according to The World Green Building Council’s 2018 report, while the cost remains a concern, owners of green buildings report that money is saved through lower operating costs due to the use of sustainable materials.

The benefits of sustainable construction 

There are numerous advantages to sustainable construction, which can be classified into three categories:

• Environmental benefits

Climate change can be mitigated by using renewable energy and building materials. Furthermore, greener buildings will improve waste management and reduce emissions. The World Green Building Council states:

• Financial benefits

Sustainable building is sometimes chastised for using expensive materials, but green buildings are often regarded as more valuable than traditional ones. Data shows that they increase in value by 7% over traditional buildings, and savings on utility bills for tenants or households are also more likely with sustainable construction projects.

• Social benefits

Sustainable construction not only improves the health of those who use the buildings but has also been shown to increase worker productivity during construction due to improved surroundings, work environments, and noise protection.

Sustainability in Healthcare

Four ways in which a healthcare provider can turn more sustainable:

• Practice Chemical Safety

Hazardous chemicals can be found in LCDs, fluorescent lamps, CRT monitors, flame-retardant mattresses, wheelchair cushions, and even baby bottles. Hospitals must make informed purchasing decisions and recycle toxic products regularly.

• Follow Waste Disposal Protocols

Disinfecting medical waste can be an energy-intensive process that emits noxious fumes. Healthcare providers must consider greener waste disposal methods such as autoclaving, chemical treatment, and microwaving.

• Save Energy

Preserving energy and reducing carbon output may appear to be an impossible task, but it is not if the hospital first reprograms its heating and cooling plants, re-engineers air handling systems, and upgrades lighting systems.

• Preserve Water

Simply replacing washroom toilets, faucets, and showers with water-efficient alternatives and purchasing high-efficiency dishwashers can save healthcare providers millions of gallons of water per year.

Every effort to improve environmental sustainability in healthcare systems can only be successful with the active participation and collaboration of an engaged workforce.

Sustainability in Transportation Industry

Enhancing transportation industry sustainability standards necessitates considerable changes in how communities travel, how products and materials are delivered, and also how future mobile networks be built. The ultimate objective is to improve transportation efficiency, which will also cut emissions and raise public awareness of environmental concerns. Building greenways to connect communities with their local environment, introducing alternate modes of transportation, and improving shipping efficiency, particularly in freight and trucks, all contribute to transportation sustainability. Here are some strategies to make transportation more environmentally friendly:

• Improve Freight Efficiency

Transportation sustainability is dependent on increasing freight efficiency within supply networks. Individually increased consumption levels and a more international economy have resulted in complicated distribution systems. For example, a single commodity may be carried via plane, boat, truck, and train before reaching its final destination.

• Increase Public Transportation

In 2010, energy loss from traffic in the United States cost $87.2 billion per year – the picture that figures now. While public transportation is widely available in large locations such as New York City, many rural villages have transportation challenges. Making it easier for people to commute to work every day will be critical to making transportation more sustainable.

• Enhance Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

As more customers invest in EVs, expanding charging infrastructure will be critical. The present rate of manufacturing for electric vehicles outpaces the development of charging stations, limiting how much this new technology is used by customers. Companies may support and promote investment in electric vehicles by expanding the locations of charging stations.

• Utilize Green Construction

The use of green materials will become popular in the construction business. The use of recycled materials, more effective waste management, and alternative design ideas, such as green concrete, are all examples of green buildings. The United States Green Building Council provides detailed criteria for reducing energy consumption and environmental effect on transportation.

• Promote Green Highways

Many states support the Green Highways Partnership, a voluntary program sponsored by the Green Highway Forum. The project calls for the use of permeable building materials to reduce hazardous environmental runoff, the incorporation of native plant species, and more volunteer engagement in highway management rather than regulated assistance.

• Build Greenways

A greenway is a land corridor that links towns to their surroundings. This length of land might be an unpaved or paved trail beside a stream or a pedestrian way through a densely populated metropolis. Greenways can help improve pedestrian mobility, safeguard local ecosystems, and promote healthy living.