Going Green? What Does it Mean?! We hear a lot about Green Engineering or Green Manufacturing these days. We're reminded of it weekly in the newspapers and on the TV news. But, what do people really mean when they say that they are going or have gone Green? EPA defines Green Engineering as:
The advent of Green Engineering was a direct result of the promulgation of the U.S. Pollution Prevention Act of 1990. The policy of the Act states: The Congress hereby declares it to be the national policy of the United States that pollution should be prevented or reduced at the source whenever feasible; pollution that cannot be prevented should be recycled in an environmentally safe manner, whenever feasible; pollution that cannot be prevented or recycled should be treated in an environmentally safe manner whenever feasible; and disposal or other release into the environment should be employed only as a last resort and should be conducted in an environmentally safe manner. The Act is responsible for formalizing the concept of Pollution Prevention or P2. Green engineering involves generally-accepted P2 practices that include planning and design of engineering and management systems to prevent pollution and reduce environmental risk. The most common principles of P2 and Green Engineering include:
Similarly, Green Manufacturing involves multidisciplinary approaches aimed at reducing the energy and material-intensiveness of manufacturing processes. Elements of Green Manufacturing include scheduling and process optimization, advanced/improved fabrication techniques, minimization of waste stream volume and/or toxicity, and improved energy efficiency. Thus, Green Manufacturing involves the application P2 principles and green engineering. Green manufacturing can involve steps as simple as substituting a less toxic raw material for a hazardous ingredient in manufacturing a product, or it can extend all the way through multiple processes to sustainability. Sustainability is the application of principles to the manufacturing of products with a manageable product life cycle and a reduction in the potential adverse effect of the product (during and after manufacturing) on the environment and human health. Imagine buying a substantial electronic product or a major appliance and knowing in advance what will be done with it once its usefulness has been expended. Although the concepts are not completely new, more effort is needed to fulfill Congress' goal. For example, we're nearly all still wrestling with the safe and appropriate recycling or disposal of obsolete computer hardware components. Clearly these concepts are permeating workplaces nearly everywhere, and will continue to be integrated in our workplace environment. As the practices and concepts of green engineering evolve, our economy and environment will evolve accordingly. MIDWEST's Consulting Services Division has the experience and expertise to assist you and your company with P2 and green engineering applications. We can also assist you with compliance to the myriad environmental or safety regulations affecting your business. If you would like to discuss green manufacturing principles applicable and appropriate to your operation, or other regulatory compliance issues, contact Midwest at (502) 491-0991, or our corporate offices at (800) 388-5160. MIDWEST continually works to improve our professional services to help ensure that our valuable clients receive prompt, professional attention.
Midwest Environmental Services, Inc. |
