Green and sustainable manufacturing

Unit 1

1. Manufacturing in industries and its effects on environment

Climate change is a complicated global issue that demands a multifaceted
response to mitigate its impacts. The key causes of climate change are the use of
fossil fuels to generate power and manufacture commodities, deforestation,
inefficient transportation services, food production, rising energy consumption,
and, in a nutshell, the overexploitation of natural resources.

Almost a quarter (23%) of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States come
directly from industrial sources such as manufacturing, food processing, mining,
and construction. These direct emissions result from various activities, including
on-site combustion of fossil fuels for heat and power, non-energy usage, and
chemical processes employed in manufacturing iron, steel, and cement. Among
them are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and
fluorinated gases. The blanket of these gases around the Earth thickens, trapping
more solar radiation and warming the planet. This poses many risks to humans
and all other life forms on Earth.
 2. Industrial pollution in Indian scenario

Industrial pollution in India is a major environmental issue that affects the health
of people and the ecosystem:
• Air pollution: Industries are responsible for 51% of air pollution in India, and
millions of people are exposed to toxic air. The average 24-hour exposure to
particulate matter (PM 2.5) is up to 25 micrograms per cubic meter, which is far
above the World Health Organization's (WHO) limit of 10 micrograms per cubic
meter. This can lead to chronic diseases like asthma, cancer, and heart attack.
• Greenhouse gas emissions: Industries are responsible for about a quarter of
India's total greenhouse gas emissions.
• Water pollution: Industrial pollution also affects water quality.
• Land degradation: Industries can also degrade land.

3. Effects on environment
3.1. Greenhouse effect
The greenhouse effect is the process through which heat is trapped near Earth's
surface by substances known as 'greenhouse gases.' Imagine these gases as a cozy
blanket enveloping our planet, helping to maintain a warmer temperature than it
would have otherwise.

A greenhouse is a house made of glass that can be used to grow plants. The sun’s
radiations warm the plants and the air inside the greenhouse. The heat trapped
inside can’t escape out and warms the greenhouse which is essential for the
growth of the plants. Same is the case in the earth’s atmosphere.

During the day the sun heats up the earth’s atmosphere. At night, when the earth
cools down the heat is radiated back into the atmosphere. During this process,
the heat is absorbed by the greenhouse gases in the earth’s atmosphere. This is
what makes the surface of the earth warmer that makes the survival of living
beings on earth possible.

However, due to the increased levels of greenhouse gases, the temperature of

the earth has increased considerably. This has led to several drastic effects.
 3. 2. Greenhouse gases
Greenhouse gases are the gases that absorb the infrared radiations and create a
greenhouse effect.

Greenhouse gases consist of carbon dioxide, methane, ozone, nitrous oxide,

chlorofluorocarbons, and water vapor. Water vapor, which reacts to temperature
changes, is referred to as a 'feedback', because it amplifies the effect of forces
that initially caused the warming.

3.3 Ozone depleting gases

Ozone depleting substances (ODS) are man-made gases that destroy ozone in the
upper atmosphere, where the ozone layer is located:
• Examples
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, carbon tetrachloride, methyl chloroform,
hydrobromofluorocarbons (HBFCs), hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), methyl
bromide, and bromochloromethane
• Sources
Refrigerators, air conditioners, solvents, dry-cleaning agents, fire extinguishers,
adhesives, and aerosols

3.4 global warming, the phenomenon of increasing

average air temperatures near the surface of Earth over the past one to two
centuries. Climate scientists have since the mid-20th century gathered detailed
observations of various weather phenomena (such as
temperatures, precipitation, and storms) and of related influences
on climate (such as ocean currents and the atmosphere’s chemical composition).
These data indicate that Earth’s climate has changed over almost every
conceivable timescale since the beginning of geologic time and
 that human activities since at least the beginning of the Industrial Revolution have
a growing influence over the pace and extent of present-day climate change.

3.5 Air pollution

Industrial air pollution is the release of harmful substances into the air from
factories, mines, and transportation. These pollutants can cause health problems
and damage the environment.
Some examples of pollutants released by industrial activities include:
Nitrogen oxides, Ammonia, Mercury, Carbon dioxide, Sulfur dioxide, Particulate
matter, and Volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Some health problems caused by industrial air pollution include: asthma,
bronchitis, cancer, heart failure, and decreased lung function.
Some environmental problems caused by industrial air pollution include: acid rain
and climate change.
Some causes of industrial air pollution include:
• Inadequate laws and regulations
• Poor enforcement of environmental standards
• Reliance on older technologies
• Delayed adoption of cleaner practices
• Increased production
• Intensive resource extraction
• Cost-cutting measures

Effect of small, medium and large scale industries on environment

Majority of small and medium scale industries are dependent on dirty coal as
their fuel. Because of inefficient technology, huge amount of coal is burnt
causing air pollution and greenhouse gas emission. If environmental
performance of small and medium scale industries has to be improved
innovation in practices is required such as cleaner fuel, circularity of waste,
cleaner technology are the need of the hour. Small and medium scale industries
 are a source of employment for a large number of people which cannot be
neglected as a fact and therefore these sectors require capacity building and
support from government and regulatory authorities.

Large scale industries on the other hand need lot of land which causes overall
reduction in natural carbon sinks. Deforestation and urbanization remove the
land’s natural ability to absorb carbon from the atmosphere, resulting in greater
greenhouse gas concentrations.
Large scale industries like construction, textile, etc generate lot of waste. If this
waste is not handled properly can cause air, water and soil pollution and also the
loss of natural habitat for many species.

4. What is green manufacturing why it is important?

Green manufacturing is a set of practices that aims to reduce the environmental
impact of manufacturing processes:
Green manufacturing is important because it…..
• Reduce waste
Green manufacturing practices aim to produce less waste, carbon emissions,
and other environmental pollutants.
• Conserve resources
Green manufacturing practices use fewer natural resources and energy.
• Use sustainable materials
Green manufacturing practices use sustainable materials and source them
responsibly.
• Use renewable energy
Green manufacturing practices use renewable energy sources like solar, wind,
hydropower, and geothermal energy.
• Improve efficiency
Green manufacturing practices use technology to improve operational
efficiency.
 Why public awareness is important for GM?
It is very important to make public aware about the deadly consequences of the
environmental degradation as it would lead to massive extinction of life if left
unattended and reformative measures are not undertaken. We are facing various
environmental challenges that need to be tackled stringently for sustainable
growth and development. Eco-friendly approach needs to be followed in every
nation to acquaint for the threats posed in the name of industrialization and
development. UNESCO has formulated environmental education for people in this
regards.

The objectives of environmental education formulated at the UNESCO’s

Tbilisi Conference (1977) were as follows:

i) Awareness: To make people sensitive towards environment and associated

problems that arises due to its misuse.

ii) Knowledge: To help people gain experiences and basic understandin

g of the environment and related problems.

iii) Skills: People must gain skills for recognizing and resolving environmental
problems.

iv) Attitude: Help people acquire values and feelings of concern for the
environment and encourage their participation in keeping our environment clean
and safe.

v) Participation: Provide an opportunity to get involved at all levels in the

task of resolving environmental problems.

Public awareness is important for green manufacturing because it can help people
adopt cleaner habits, which can lead to a healthier environment for everyone:
• Reduce waste and emissions
Public awareness can encourage people to reduce waste and emissions by
adopting eco-friendly practices like recycling and using public transportation.
• Conserve natural resources
 Public awareness can help people understand the need to conserve natural
resources and the environment.
• Improve environmental health
Public awareness can help people identify and address environmental
problems.
• Benefit businesses
Businesses can benefit from green manufacturing by reducing costs and waste,
and making more efficient use of energy and resources.
• Improve reputation
Businesses can improve their reputation by being environmentally conscious.
• Attract customers
Businesses can attract environmentally conscious customers.
• Meet regulations
Businesses can meet existing and expected trade regulations by reducing their
carbon footprint.
• Access markets
Businesses can gain access to markets and eligibility for green financing by going
green and earning certifications.