Making a business eco-friendlier is now a vital target to focus on. As consumers demand a greener approach from the businesses that they use, brands have little choice but to prioritize more sustainable management practices. This can be very challenging in a manufacturing facility. Factories are notorious for waste generation and for practices that are not eco-friendly. However, there have been some emerging trends in 2020, and they are proving essential for those factory environments where a reduction in both carbon footprint and operational costs must go hand in hand. Here are some of the smart ways to turn your factory into a greener and more sustainable workspace.
Perform an Energy Audit
Nobody likes the word audit but knowing where you can improve your energy use is essential. Conduct a full evaluation of your facility and identify those areas that are costing your both money and those vital green credentials. Basics like replacing HVAC filters and old, inefficient light bulbs can be more effective than you think. If you want to go large scale, plant trees outside your factory so that you reduce internal factory heat.
Go Renewable
When it comes to costs, the energy used to run your factory is usually one of the biggest. You can cut down how much you spend on your energy bills by making the change to more renewable options. You may even find that your state offers tax breaks or financial incentives for those businesses that change to solar or wind power. The best thing about using your own energy is that if you create a surplus, then you can generate new revenue streams by selling that excess energy to the national grid.
Waste Reduction
Factories are mass producers of waste, so you need to know how to keep that waste to a minimum. There are practical options to consider, such as using your waste to create new products or packaging. Recycling and repurposing waste is very effective for lowering your carbon footprint, but it is not your only option. Investing in a waste compactor is a good idea, and you can find a compactor for sale very easily. Not only will this make it easier to dispose of your waste, but you can also sell it after compacting, creating a profit out of what you would normally discard.
Stop Wasting Water
Water efficiency can be more challenging to achieve than you think. While obvious issues like dripping taps or leaky pipes are easy fixes, overall, it can be challenging to stop wasting water. Technology can come to the rescue, though. Simple changes like sensor taps and dual flush toilet converters can see your water bills, and your total water use drop significantly. If you dread getting a water bill, those savings might ease the strain.
Looking after the planet is everyone’s responsibility. For those in sectors that are traditionally inefficient and wasteful, that shift to becoming more eco-friendly is vital. As consumers demand more proactive sustainability from the companies that they engage with, your factory can only benefit by taking a greener approach to the way that it runs.
