GREEN

RESOURCES
MANAGEMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION

CORPORATE RESPONSE

4 WAYS THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY IS GOING GREEN

10 COMPANIES THAT ARE ECO -FRIENDLY

 INTRODUCTION
The color green is closely associated with environmen-talism—and therefore "green production," "green enterprise," "green business,"and similar
tags signal activities related to environmental goals in a positive way.

Environmentalism arose in the 1960s as the younger, more politically active post-war embodiment of an earlier conservation movement that is
still active today.Environmental interest reached its peak in the 1970s. The first major environmental law, the National Environmental Policy Act
of 1969, came just before the first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970 (coinciding then and every year since with the older Arbor Day on
which, once, people planted trees). The eight years between 1969 and 1976 saw passage of nine of the 18 fundamental environmental laws.

Since those days environmentalism is an undeniable public movement, ranging from political activism to a general sort of mild piety.Green
products and services have a substantial market and command a premium price. The movement now embraces much more than simply pollution-
free manufacturing and also encompasses healthy foods (organically produced, if possible), opposition to all manners of artificial ingredients,
alternative fuels and modes of transportation (e.g., solar power, bicycles), alternative methods of construction to save energy (e.g., earth-
sheltered homes), holistic and alternative forms of medicine, "green investment" in the securities of environmentally sensitive corporations, and
many other forms of day-to-day or recreational behaviors, some of which can be supplied by business.
 The term sustainable
The corporate response to environmentalism has taken many forms.

Firstly, we have the exploiters. Exploitation typically takes the form of offering a few higher-priced versions of a
product line which will appeal to environmentalists or positioning traditional products in marketing to highlight and
emphasize the environmental aspects of the product.

The middle-ground is occupied by companies that deliberately make and sell only products that are environmentally
superior, have been produced by a non-polluting process, or are made of natural ingredients only.The products
offered cover a bewildering variety of literally anything and everything—including even surprisingly technical items
such as automotive catalysts.

Finally there are corporations in which environmental values are central to corporate values and all operations are
deliberately and consciously managed with those principles guiding all choices. Often these are major publicly-traded
corporations. And investment funds sold to environmentally-aware investors will feature such stocks. Sellers of such
portfolios like the term "sustainable" industry as an alternative to "environmentally friendly" or "green" industry.
How is manufacturing going green, though? You can count the ways.
1. Updating Facilities
When people think about manufacturing, they often picture factories with big smoke stacks. Not the greenest image ever—and it’s one
manufacturers are ditching with glee. The move to greener facilities, whether they’re new or refurbished, means that old image is now a relic of the
past. One easy way is to target waste in all its forms. Inefficient machinery can consume up to 70 percent more energy than it needs to; a focus on
an energy-efficient plant will help a manufacturer reduce its energy consumption—and its bill.Other areas of focus include heating and cooling.
Some manufacturers are even investing in clean and renewable energy, such as solar and wind power.
2. Reducing Waste
Reduce, reuse, recycle—it’s been the mantra of the green movement for some time, and manufacturers are on board. One of the biggest concerns in
the manufacturing industry is the efficient use of raw materials.Unfortunately, older processes have been incredibly inefficient, leading to lots of
waste. Reducing waste and using raw materials more efficiently helps everyone go green. Using more sustainable materials (such as bamboo, which
is quick growing) is also becoming more popular in the manufacturing industry.
3. Recycling
In the same vein as reducing waste, more manufacturers are adopting recycling as an important part of their processes. Many are choosing recycled
products to use as the base of their own products, instead of using raw materials. Think about recycled paper: Newspapers can form the base of
blankets, among other uses for post-consumer paper. Similarly, companies can decide to switch from environmentally unfriendly materials to those
that are greener. For instance, plastics, which aren’t biodegradable. New materials with the durability of plastic are now appearing on the market,
providing manufacturers with a greener option.
4. Lean Production
While the focus in the 80' and 90' was mainly on lowering production costs and increasing profits, lean production has another benefit: It’s green!
Lean production processes reduce waste across the board. Companies are employing only the number of people they need, making and shipping
only as much as they need to, and generally streamlining their processes to maximize efficiency. Newer technology improves all aspects of
production, making it possible to reduce energy consumption while producing more units.
5 companies that are