when we consider about a manufacturing plant, Sustainability of the Factory mean whether it can be sustained in the society/world as a business or whether society/world can sustain with the Factory?
Lets think that we want to asses the sustainability of a manufacturing factory. Do we need to consider the factors which are affected to the external world due to the factory activities?
Please have a look at this link.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925527311002179
Please remember to address the three pillars of sustainability in manufacturing:
- Social sustainability of manufacturing
- Economic sustainability of manufacturing
- Ecological sustainability of manufacturing
Sustainable manufacturing is the creation of manufactured products through economically-sound processes that minimize negative environmental impacts while conserving energy and natural resources. Sustainability in the manufacturing is an ongoing process and can be achieved by Saving money, improving your products, making your operations more efficient and increasing sales. Good practices of sustainable manufacturing can be achieved by bringing the improvement in the following area , such as Reducing inputs for production in the first place, Improving the efficiency of facility operation sand : Improving products to reduce impact in use and at the end of life.
Sustainability is literally defined as the ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level. In this regard, it is applied to both cases - sustainability of a factory as a business, as well as sustainability in terms of social, economic, and ecological sustainability of a manufacturing plant.
From my point of view is sustainable manufacturing matrix with two axis - economic, social and environmental sustainability on x axis and pre-manufacturing, manufacturing and after-manufacturing processes. In every position in matrix is focus on min/max values.
Factory sustainable for me is waste zero during the process ! Zero accident ! And Zero Polution !
OK. Thanks. For me is possible try zero accident, zerp polution and waste zero. I Belive this concept.
Thank you for all your valuable answers. Actually what I am doing is developing a methodology to evaluate manufacturing sustainability. Initially I am thinking about the factory/ plant sustainability considering the local requirement, then it will be expanded to the whole supply chain. I do consider the Triple Bottom Line and many of the things you all have suggested above.
It is multidimensional: Ecologically it means waste zero, recycling and reduction of natural resources exploitation, socially it means contribute meaningfully towards the community is the way that makes them self-sufficient through empowerment et economically it could mean equitable redistribution of profits
you need to consider the factors which are affected to the external world due to the factory activities.
from several variables or approaches:
- Ecology preservation
- remedaitions due to pollutants ( solids, fluids, heath, or anotherd distrubation).
- pasiajism of the area.
- human ecology
and considerations you can read in ISO14000 and some others in ISO 26000
in addition to what Alan Garcia responded, I would add:
Sustainability is the result of responsible business management. If you care about sustainability, in businesses you would call is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), you will make sure that you balance ecological, social and financial considerations.
It has been proven many times, that businesses acting in a responsible business development, will be generating better inner motivations of employees, better developed organizations and higher revenues and profitability.
In these days you will find several investors very sensitive about CSR. One of the strongest example is the Norvegian pension fund, that is relocating all their investments from coal mining and production to environmentally better technologies.
ISO 26000, although not used for certifications, is the most comprehensive CSR guidelines system you may find on the market.
If you take the the management approach of the St. Gallen University (HSG) you will understand, it it not possible to evaluate sustainability only from a limited view. With limitation of the focus you will find out that there are factors which are outside of your focus. Also not clear what should be done with the result of the evaluation. Suggest to study the 3rd and 4th generation model of HSG Management-model and redefine your research question.
Good luck
In addition to the ISO formalities (14.000 and 26.000) management has to balance current and possible future
- availability and costs related to resources (financial, human, intermediates, waste, etc)
- values and priorities of the local community and international pressure groups
- international/national/regional developments regarding the relevant markets
in a way, that the company can stay in business in the present and the immediate future. Otherwise no sustainability in the medium term.
Sustainability is typically more associated with an organization’s holistic approach; it takes the entire production process and logistics into consideration. For example, you may purchase a green product made out of recycled goods. However, if that product was made overseas, and environmentally harmful methods were used to transport that product to the United States, this would not be adhering to sustainable principles.
In the manufacturing world, it is advantageous to focus on both green and sustainability. While targeted improvements can be beneficial to your company, looking at the “bigger picture” maximizes the perks of an environmental focus.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Geoscience
- Asia
- India