03-07-2012, 12:46 PM
GREEN MANUFACTURING
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Abstract
Green Manufacturing is practiced recently to meet the demand of nature. Frequent major disasters of late have triggered the alarm and alerted all manufacturers of natures’ vulnerability and wraith. With more and more environmental legislation being approved, companies have no option but to adopt the green policy. Green Manufacturing actually offers a lot of benefits, not just from the economical point of view but from other aspects as well. This paper will cover a brief introduction to Green Manufacturing, its benefits from environmental, company and technological point of view, the way it is implemented and the challenges that Green Manufacturers might face.
Introduction
Definition- “Green manufacturing is a method for manufacturing that minimizes waste and pollution. These goals are often achieved through product and process design.”
Green Manufacturing is a method for manufacturing that minimizes waste and pollution. These goals are realized through product and process design. In green manufacturing all stages of production are considered. The manufacturer will not use any product which is harmful to ecosystem in production, design, field application and at end of life for disposal of the products. The goal of Green Manufacturing is to support future generations by attaining sustainability by preserving natural resources.
Importance
Due to the recent global climate, humans have started to realize the vulnerability of nature and the disasters it may bring as a response of our negligence. The following are the recent stresses on our environment:
• As much fresh water has been withdrawn in the last 30 years as in the last three centuries.
• Globally, there is a 160 billion cubic meter overdraft of groundwater per year.
• The rate of increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide between 1970 and 2000 is nearly double.
• Carbon emissions have increased by more than 1.5 times since 1970.
• The U.S., EU and Japan are by far the world’s biggest producers of solid waste, with the U.S. at about 14 times that of Japan and the EU combined.
Basic principles of green Manufacturing-
Remove
Reduce
Reuse
Renewable
Recycle
Revenue
Manufacturers have been neglecting their social responsibility and focused too much on their profit. It is time to reflect and take environmental effects of their activity into consideration.
Examples of Green Manufacturing sub disciplines include scheduling and process optimization, advanced fabrication techniques, minimization of waste stream volume and toxicity, and improved energy efficiency.
As stated by Manufacturing & Technology News , Green Manufacturing will become one of industry’s greatest strategic challenges, not only from an engineering perspective, but from a business and marketing perspective as well.
Benefits
Environmental Benefits –
Green Manufacturing will have a substantial impact on the environment. Nearly 80% of toxic waste is from the electrical and electronics industry. The goal of Green Manufacturing is to reduce waste to zero. This will definitely improves the ecology and stop pollution, especially the greenhouse effect that is affecting the Earth more and more as a result of 50 years of manufacturing without taking any environmental consideration.
Company Benefits –
A company that practices Green Manufacturing creates a great image to the public. With the public getting more and more aware of the green house effects, going green is an action much appreciated and supported by the public. In the viewers’ eyes, the company is said to have social responsibility and this reputation means a lot to the company.
The society now is fonder to environmental friendly products. According to Manufacturing & Technology News, this is the current market trend. A company which could develop a similar, greener product will certainly have the competitive edge. For example, car users now are more interested in buying energy efficient cars that emit less carbon monoxide rather than energy consuming high powered vehicles. Therefore, the company that is able to produce the greener car will record better sales. While it is costly to change from the present manufacturing method to a greener method, practicing Green Manufacturing may actually be cost saving. Zero waste policy means companies can optimize their resource and save their money on waste management later on. There will also be a cost reduction resulted from improved energy efficiency and better process control.