Identifying Environmental Burdens in the Process

Identifying Environmental Burdens in the Process

• The Green Suppliers Network incorporates "lean and clean" elements into its mapping techniques to help recognize environmental impacts, quantify raw materials, identify pollution and wastes, and identify root causes of wastes and inefficiencies.
• Opportunities from identifying environmental burdens include reducing costs, improving production flow, saving time, reducing inventory, and improving environmental performance.

Environmental Impacts in Application Processes

• Metal Fabrication (Milling, Welding, Stamping, and Machining) has environmental impacts.
• Parts Washing, Surface Cleaning, Plastic Forming (Extrusion and Molding), Metal Finishing, Surface Coating, Chemical Formulation, Hazardous Materials Handling, and Waste Management also have environmental impacts.
• Wastewater Treatment is another area with environmental impacts.

Application Steps

• Record the "Current State" of environmental impacts.
• Compare "input" vs. "output" to identify inefficiencies.
• Visualize an improved "Future State" and establish baselines for all inputs and outputs, including the 10 Green Suppliers Network environmental metrics.

Environmental Challenges and Sustainability

• Environmental responsibilities involve preserving natural resources that provide essential functions to human society.
• Businesses can improve their brand reputation by demonstrating concern and respect for environmental and social considerations.
• Sustainable development involves strategies to attract capital and human resources while contributing to a green economy.
• Sustainability is key to using 100% renewable energy, reducing hazardous production, and limiting waste.

Examples of Sustainable Development

• Committed to using 100% renewable energy in its factories by 2025.
• Pledged to use only organic or recycled cotton, linen, and polyester to create garments by 2025.
• Rolled out electric cars created using technology that saves 50% of energy and 70% of water, with 95% of the vehicle's structure recyclable.
• Phasing out single-use plastic products in stores and restaurants by 2020, aiming to reduce climate impact per product by 70% by 2020.

Beware of Greenwashing

• Greenwashing is a deceitful advertising method to gain favor with consumers who choose to support environmentally friendly businesses.
• It involves conveying a false impression or misleading information about a company's environmental soundness.

Social Responsibilities and Sustainable Development

• Corporate citizenship, philanthropy, labor practice indicators, human capital development, social reporting, and talent attraction and retention are key aspects of social responsibility.
• Sustainable development involves creating an infrastructure that meets human needs while maintaining environmental quality, human health, social equity, and economic vitality.

Broader Perspective on Sustainability

• Resource conservation, ecological conservation, triple bottom line, public health, community planning, energy policy, and energy security are all aspects of sustainability.
• Climate change is a dominant factor in sustainability discussions and public policy responses.