The chemicals used to make a variety of products in manufacturing plants pollute the air, water, and land. Industrial waste goes into rivers, thereby contributing to polluting the world’s waterways. In many cases, these pollutants also contaminate the water pipes that lead to residential and commercial buildings. These industrial factories also pollute the air by releasing toxic chemicals. They also pollute the land by dumping industrial waste in the landfills.
Waste from manufacturing plants is a common problem among states and cities dependent on the industrial sector. Various environmental groups are urging the industry to reconsider its processes. With the use of technology, a lot of manufacturing plants are able to come up with solutions to environmental problems that have hounded them for decades.
Switching to Environmentally Friendly Equipment
The major concern for the manufacturing industry is the pollution that comes from its equipment and machines. These use petroleum to work. They then burn the petroleum which usually leads to the foul smell that usually comes from these plants. Since these plants are manufacturing products from raw materials, it comes as no surprise that the vast majority of its pollution is released into the air.
New technology reduced these pollution problems. Machines now do not need the burning of the same amount of energy it takes to make a product before. Manufacturing plants, especially those in the pharmaceutical industry, are also using oil-free air compressors. These machines can reduce the plant’s negative environmental effects. They eliminate harmful emissions and high energy costs.
Putting Measures in Place for Recycling Waste
There are plenty of materials in a manufacturing plant that can be recycled or reused. Do you know, for example, that you can reuse sawdust in a new manufacturing process? Other things that plants need to recycle are old cardboard boxes, glass waste, paper waste, and even food waste.
Recycling means less waste will go to landfills and the reduction of the use of limited natural resources such as water, minerals, and timber. The manufacturing plant will also be less reliant on raw materials if it can recycle some materials from its own processes. That does not only reduce the cost of production but also helps the factory become self-sufficient.
Effectively Using Renewable Energy Sources
For a manufacturing plant to be sustainable, it doesn’t need to rely on the grid. Rather, it has to find sources of renewable energy such as solar, hydro, wind, tidal, geothermal, and biomass. Many manufacturers are now switching to renewable sources of energy to power their plants. This method is cheaper. Plus, it helps the environment since the non-dependence on the grid eliminates the use of natural resources and the burning of fossil fuels.
Renewable sources of energy never run out. This is unlike its counterpart that needs replenishing every so often. It is also possible to operate the machines that harness renewable energy without using energy in the process.
Partnering with Eco-friendly Third-party Companies
The manufacturing industry buys raw materials from other companies. One way to ensure that a plant is being environmentally aware of its processes and operations is to choose who to partner with. Industrial factories should only partner with green companies. These companies will supply their needed raw materials in an eco-friendly way. That includes the packaging and transportation of these materials.
This is why it’s important to find domestic raw materials, which means stopping the importation of materials from far-flung places that will use energy to deliver the goods to the manufacturing plants. This way, the industry can help in producing economic opportunities for the local area. It will also reduce its reliance on raw materials that have to travel from another state or country.
Using Smart Manufacturing Software
Many manufacturing companies are now depending on smart software and programs to accurately allocate the needed raw materials based on the available stock. This process will reduce situations where the factories will end up with excess materials that still have to be disposed of. It eliminates instances of the factories disposing of waste in landfills. It is also a cost-effective method.
It is high-time for manufacturing companies to lead the way toward an eco-friendlier process. The manufacturing industry has long been a major source of air, land, and water pollutants. Updating processes, operations, machines, and software is one part of the solution. The better solution is for these companies to commit to turning their organizations around. They must work toward an eco-friendlier world. If they are to take this important step, other industries will follow suit.
