Invest in Our Planet
From the beginning
Earth Day is an annual event celebrated every April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. It was officially launched on April 22, 1970 in New York City with approximately 250,000 participants. Simultaneously, an estimated 20 million people nationwide attended the inaugural events that day at tens of thousands of sites including elementary and secondary schools, universities, and community sites across the United States. Today more than 1 billion people in 193 countries participate. This Earth Day, the theme is “Invest in Our Planet,” encouraging all of us to take this commitment further. But how?
Sustainability in the world of manufacturing
Many manufacturers want to do their part in taking responsibility to be sustainable. This applies to both operations and in designing sustainable products. With industries under pressure to reduce their environmental footprint, various solutions are being explored. In fact, that’s what a digital transformation is all about: Long-term and painless changes to ensure a much happier Earth, more resilient supply chains, and better businesses. Digital technologies can make the Earth a far better place for people and planet. Take digital transformation a step further and explore ways your firm can help save the planet.
A more sustainable future
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 can impact every step of the supply chain, leading to 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. A sustainable supply chain is one that fully integrates ethical and environmentally responsible practices into a competitive and successful model. This paves the way for sustainability to benefit consumers, companies, and products—and the Earth itself.
How businesses can become greener
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
Earth-friendly changes in the office:
- Reduce single-use Items
- Source sustainable materials
- Donate unwanted or unused items
- Implement recycling programs
- Move to a paperless environment
- Invest in lights that automatically switch off
- Prioritize reusable office supplies
- Host a clean-up day with employee volunteers
Learn more:
The Definitive Guide to Supply Chain Sustainability