Sustainable Manufacturing

sustainable development

What Is Sustainable Development?

Sustainable development is economic growth which meets the needs of the present without damaging the lives of future generations. In other words, it doesn’t cause so much damage that people in the future might not be able to live healthy lives. It also means that we don’t destroy so much of the natural world that other …

What Is Sustainable Development? Read More »

India Uses Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) to Clean the Ganges River

India’s government has lately set a 3-year target to rejuvenate the River Ganges, formulating an integrated plan for the use of new technologies to solve the water pollution crisis. Known as the “Namaami Gange” or “Clean Ganga” project, optimism is high for cleaning up the Holy River Ganga, as it is known and revered by …

India Uses Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) to Clean the Ganges River Read More »

Bad Bad Packaging

I can’t help myself! I review the shopping venues shelves, such as my local supermarket and Walmart, to investigate what manufacturers are doing to make the packaging of their products more sustainable. I have to admit that I focus on the negative. I really notice the packaging tragedies, and cringe to see just how bad …

Bad Bad Packaging Read More »

Eco-manufacturing: how to make more things with less energy

Sustainable manufacturing has gained significant importance in the last few years. Due to the advances that have taken place in the last few decades, it is now easier for industries to shift the manufacturing process towards green machinery. Industrial units can be modified into sustainable models that are less damaging to the environment. An example …

Eco-manufacturing: how to make more things with less energy Read More »

The Evolution of Planned Obsolescence: Innovation’s Litter – Part 7

Part 7 in a series on planned obsolescence Too much of a good thing will sometimes get dressed for the party wearing the wrong clothes. The most significant difficulty with disposable plastic has nothing to do with its practicality or usefulness – as it happens to be remarkably useful in a stunning number of formulations …

The Evolution of Planned Obsolescence: Innovation’s Litter – Part 7 Read More »

Planned Obsolescence and the Bic Effect – Part 6

In short order the name of Bic was equated with the rising popularity of inexpensive disposable products – a n emerging trend. The list of wares ran the gamut, from razors to disposable cameras. Unlike Brooke Stevens’ adage involving a product that was newer and slightly better, the world of disposables simply involved low cost and the ability to produce at a massive scale.

Unplanned Obsolescence & the Texas Back Roads: Part 5

Best intentions aside, there is no economy here, just the imagination that someone brushed on canvas some time ago. In one quaint town, the doors of the small restaurant are locked shut; it is the same at the hardware store and gas station on the corner. The remaining clothing store with an “Open” sign in the window must be run by wealthy hobbyists in need of a write off or by one of the few churches that’s still open.

The Future of Green: Innovations That Promote Economic Engagement

Fleet companies face challenges that go beyond what the average car owner sees. The automotive landscape changes completely when managing more than one vehicle. Those in charge of a fleet must balance fuel efficiency, environmental responsibility and capital expenditure for multiple cars. Economic innovations have stepped up to help fleets stay true to the current …

The Future of Green: Innovations That Promote Economic Engagement Read More »

Planned Obsolescence & the Bubble That Burst: Part 4

By the time this century hit, real estate was now considered by many to be a great short-term play that could yield as much as 10 or 20 percent. Commonplace homes and condominiums, priced from $125,000 to $150,000, were said to return tidy profits in less than two years. No muss, no fuss; just let inflating prices happen. All one needed to do was buy a ticket on the real estate train and make sure they were on board.

Moore’s Law & Planned Obsolescence Construct a Technology Traffic Jam: Part 3

At that time, Intel co-founder Gordon Moore, a man donning a pair of visionary goggles and a remarkable engineering aptitude, boldly predicted that the number of transistors on a chip would double about every two years. His prediction turned out to be accurate – even if few understood what he was saying at the time – and came to be known as Moore’s Law.

Women in Focus Week, Day 2! Meet the Top Women Sustainable CEOs: Eileen Fisher

This week, the Important Media Network has committed to highlighting some of the women that are making the world a better place. At Inspired Economist, we thought we’d take part by profiling a great sustainable woman CEO every day this week. See yesterday’s post on Kim Jordan, CEO of New Belgium Brewing, then check in each day …

Women in Focus Week, Day 2! Meet the Top Women Sustainable CEOs: Eileen Fisher Read More »

You Think You Might start a Green Business?

Our aching planet just needs you to be thoughtful as you plow into your next venture. If you are, everyone wins, and wins sustainably into the indefinite future. A sustainable business considers the impacts of every facet of its operation and then attempts to address each, from paper consumption to human resources, in a way …

You Think You Might start a Green Business? Read More »

Fair Trade USA Tackles Fashion and Cotton Industry

While doing laundry, we read our clothing labels – “wash in cold water”and “tumble dry low”. But do we pay attention to the “made in…” labels such as Made in India or Made in Peru? What does that actually mean? And where is the transparency? Fair Trade USA (formerly TransFair USA) hopes to shed light …

Fair Trade USA Tackles Fashion and Cotton Industry Read More »