Greening the Manufacturing Industry

A substantial increase in U.S. manufacturing jobs in recent years has led many to question where the future of the manufacturing industry lies. A trend towards green manufacturing — the practice of making manufacturing facilities and processes more environmentally friendly — makes sense on multiple levels. Not only is green manufacturing good for the environment, it's also more economically sound in the long term. These are some of the greening trends in the manufacturing industry.

There are two major components of green manufacturing: the creation of ecologically friendly buildings that use less power and more renewable resources, and the reduction of pollution and waste in the manufacturing process itself. With current technology, it is feasible for practically every company involved in the manufacturing to make a number of significant, positive changes in both categories.

As many of those working green jobs will tell you, it's often easier to begin with greening buildings. This isn't because changing manufacturing processes are significantly more difficult or expensive, but rather because making changes to a building is something all workers can see and appreciate almost immediately.

One sensible place to begin is with weatherizing buildings and facilities. Weatherization is the process of protecting a building from the elements, so less energy is expended on heating, cooling and other methods of keeping employees comfortable. In terms of green manufacturing, weatherization drastically cuts down on the amount of energy a building uses, reducing the amount of fossil fuels consumed and cutting energy bills for the year by up to tens of thousands of dollars.

Weatherizing existing buildings usually involves installing new insulation, repairing leaks, putting in an energy-efficient heating and cooling system, and replacing existing machines that use too much energy with more efficient newer models. If all this sounds daunting, remember there are a number of federal government grants and initiatives designed to help older businesses modernize their weatherization.

Another smart way to get on the path to green manufacturing is by investing in alternative forms of energy. Wind and solar power are by far the most popular new energy sources, and both can easily be used in conjunction with existing energy sources if you aren't ready to switch over entirely. While wind turbines are a great source of energy for larger manufacturing operations, solar is generally more feasible for smaller plants.

One of the great advantages of solar power is that panels can be installed right on the roof of many facilities, so it isn't necessary to acquire more land to build them. Solar and wind power tend to have a significant initial cost to set up, but the amount they save in energy costs more than makes up for it in the long run.

Green manufacturing is the only responsible choice for modern companies. However, going green is not just a nuisance that the manufacturing industry must endure. When done properly, it saves money and creates factories and plants that produce less waste, keeping employees healthier and happier.

Photo courtesy of Naypong at FreeDigitalPhotos.net