EUAudio

We all know that plastic is negatively impacting the planet, but do we know the extent of the problem? According to a study by Sciences Advances, of the 8.3 billion metric tons of produced plastic, 6.3 billion has become plastic waste and only nine per cent has been recycled. Industries must now think more about how they can reduce their contribution to the issue, particularly in manufacturing.

People are doing what they can to help the environment. However, creating an impact takes more than installing a solar panel or swapping to energy efficient light bulbs. Manufacturers should consider how making small, impactful changes in their facility can actually make a difference in the environment. 

Where do your products come from? Sometimes we only consider how far a product travelled from the warehouse to our front door. However, the journey from raw material to production, storage and delivery can cover several countries and continents, increasing carbon emissions and causing environmental issues.

Did you know that the term ‘computer’ originally described a job title? Before being electronic machines, computers used to be people who did mathematical calculations for companies or governmental authorities. Human computers played a vital role at institutions like NASA, but with the advent of electronic computers, their job became obsolete. The same happens to a lot of automation components, made obsolete by more modern and efficient alternatives.

When an obsolete component breaks, manufacturers might struggle to find a replacement. This is especially true in highly regulated sectors like pharmaceuticals or food processing, where like-for-like replacements are not an option and the exact same part has to be sourced. Second-hand parts might seem like a great solution, but they come with a variety of risks.