Manufacturers have a corporate and social responsibility to be sustainable, both in operations and designing sustainable products. What has become apparent is that industrial operations contribute to the overuse of our planet’s vital resources and creates further environmental damage from emissions, excessive material waste and disposal methods. With industries under pressure to reduce their environmental footprint, it represents significant risks for businesses to ignore.
The demand for sustainable manufacturing is only going to increase especially with the rising concerns around climate change and the planet. Local and federal governments and communities demand meaningful change from the manufacturing sector. These required changes impact every step of the supply chain and we see a shift toward smart factories and digital supply chain networks. Recent evidence indicates that sustainability is good for business, rewarding those companies that have sustainability objectives.
While sustainable operations can eliminate waste and improve environmental impact—it also creates value in manufacturing and supply chain management.
Most, if not all, manufacturers will need to embark on a digital transformation that allows them to evolve to an enterprise that meets all sustainability concerns, including:
- Product design with sustainability in mind
- Forging the factory of the future
- Powering the industry through renewable/green energy or more ethical material sourcing
- A circular economy and supply chain that reduces waste and addresses recycling or second life product
