How Manufacturers Are Embracing Sustainability For Earth Day

In the spring of 1970, Senator Gaylord Nelson created Earth Day to force environmental issues onto the national agenda. Just as Senator Nelson found this initiative so important that it needed its own day, consumers agree with the push for sustainability regarding the products they use daily. Manufacturers are “going green” by trying to produce less waste, carbon emissions, and overall environmental impact. 

Manufacturing relies on a constant stream of raw materials, such as metals, minerals, and wood. Before materials even reach the plant, ecosystems are being damaged. Extraction processes can leave behind scars on the landscape. Dust generated from mining and quarrying activities can pollute the air and reduce air quality, causing respiratory problems.

Once at the warehouse, waste, scrap, leftover chemicals, and packaging continue the cycle of damage. Traditional manufacturing uses subtractive techniques, which create a lot of waste that can end up in landfills, pollute waterways, and take up valuable resources. Statistia posted in 2024 that over 300 million metric tons of plastic waste is produced yearly, half of which comes from the packaging sector alone.

National government bodies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have set regulations mandating specific pollution limits, reporting requirements, and technologies for cleaner production. Any production facility will have a level of emissions to some degree. The aim is to identify and control those emissions.

Reducing resource consumption is a vital initiative for most modern companies, not just the manufacturing industry. However, reducing energy and waste and increasing eco-friendly materials will help manufacturers align with consumers who are growing concerned about environmental impact.

Energy efficiency

Many find conservation inapplicable due to the machinery and technology involved in a manufacturing plant. But guess what? Changing lightbulbs from incandescent bulbs to LED lighting saves significant energy. Replacing outdated, energy-guzzling machines with newer, more efficient models can help push the initiative to save energy. These changes do not have to be life-altering to make a difference. For companies looking for a bigger change, explore onsite solar and wind power to generate clean energy throughout the facility.

Minimizing waste

This section can be summarized in just three words: reduce, reuse, and recycle. The waste hierarchy is a guiding principle prioritizing waste management strategies in manufacturing. Using the right amount of materials for each job easily reduces waste. For more advanced shops, additive manufacturing that uses 3-D printing will build objects layer-by-layer, using only the material needed to create an object. Maintaining efficient inventory control prevents overstocking and reduces expired materials or unused components.

When reusing, identify opportunities to reuse scrap material from one production process to another. For example, offcuts from metal sheets might be used for smaller components. Develop products with refillable components rather than a single-use design (like ink cartridges, packaging containers, or machine parts with modular designs). These simple practices help create a workplace centered around environmentalism and innovation.

Choosing materials with high recycling potential during the design process is an easy step for manufacturers to help reduce waste. Implementing a system for waste segregation (e.g., metals, papers, and plastics) allows for efficient recycling and reduces contamination of recyclable materials. Work with reputable recycling companies to ensure proper processing and re-integration of recycled materials into the manufacturing supply chain. If recycling isn’t feasible, explore options like waste-to-energy facilities that convert non-recyclable waste into usable energy. By adopting the waste hierarchy, manufacturers can move toward a circular economy, where materials are used for as long as possible.

Sustainable materials and products

Designing products with a longer lifespan and easier end-of-life recycling can help manufacturers reduce waste production. Many manufacturers have begun conducting life cycle assessments to evaluate the environmental footprint of their products throughout their lifespan, from extraction to disposal. This approach helps identify opportunities for using eco-friendly materials in product design and development. Recycling materials reduces the reliance on virgin resources and minimizes waste going to landfills. Biodegradable materials derived from renewable resources like plant starches offer a sustainable alternative to traditional plastics, especially for single-use items, and will decompose naturally after use. The growing momentum behind sustainability will push manufacturers to innovate and embrace these changes.

Manufacturers who embrace sustainability will reap benefits beyond environmental responsibility. Attracting new, eco-conscious consumers and building brand image, cost savings through resource efficiency, and even tax breaks will benefit these environmentally cautious manufacturers.

Consumers increasingly demand eco-friendly products, and a commitment to sustainability fosters a positive brand image. These initiatives can then be incorporated into marketing campaigns, creating a powerful brand story for consumers.

Focusing on sustainable material collection reduces waste and translates to cost savings on raw materials and disposal fees. Proactive adoption of sustainable practices will help manufacturers stay ahead of regulations and avoid fees or penalties. Innovative eco-friendly initiatives lead to cost savings and potential new market outreach.

If those benefits are not convincing enough, government bodies may offer tax breaks, subsidies, and other financial incentives to encourage manufacturers to adopt sustainable practices. These incentives will help offset the initial costs of implementing sustainable solutions. Investment in renewable energy can earn manufacturers a green certificate that can be traded for financial rewards.

Sustainability is not just another initiative for manufacturers to brag about; it is a cost-saving, process-optimizing, consumer-attracting reform. Manufacturers using energy efficiency, waste hierarchy, and sustainable materials have a leg up on competitors who have not yet begun their journey in environmentalism. However, for those just starting, an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system could be the first step in contributing to eco-friendly practices.

ERPs provide a centralized platform for collecting and analyzing data on material usage, energy consumption, and waste generation across all production processes. With this data, manufacturers can identify areas for improvement and make informed decisions regarding resource usage. ERPs can also optimize inventory levels, preventing overstocks and the associated waste from expired or unused materials. Selecting sustainable suppliers and improving communications with them through EPR usage can minimize the environmental impact of raw material extraction and reduce transportation miles associated with material deliveries.

Whether a job shop, discrete, or batch-and-process manufacturer, our ERP solutions include inventory management, quality control, and government compliance that can all lead to an eco-friendly manufacturing process, an ERP can streamline operations, which cuts down on machine energy allocation and saves money, making this investment a must-have for manufacturers.