Top Tips for Improving Your Resource Efficiency - Manufacturing

Waste reduction is not just important for the environment, but is a major cost-saving. Many organisations that have implemented measures to improve their resource efficiency have also benefited from greater employee motivation and a better working environment. Below are some simple tips for improving your resource efficiency. 

• Waste disposal and spillages create the majority of environmental legal problems. You need to focus on these areas, particularly if you use hazardous chemicals.
• Duty of care encompasses the protection of employees, neighbours the community and the environment. You will need to consider litter, smells, dust and noise to meet regulatory requirements.
• Communicating your ‘green credentials’ can help to gain and keep new customers and clients.
• A simple approach is to write down a step-by-step process flow from raw material delivery through to packing and dispatch.
  • At each step note the main raw materials used, energy and water consumption and any potential hazardous materials.
  • Identify where waste is occurring and how much waste is being created.
  • Consider how much the wasted materials are costing to purchase and dispose of.
  • Don’t forget to include costs for packaging, effluent, energy and if efficiencies can be made in how staff and materials move around your premises. Look for easy to implement changes that will create immediate results.
  • Prioritise a few of the major problems which will create the biggest savings or environmental improvements.
  • Consider your supply chain. Where possible buy locally to reduce transport emissions. Work with suppliers to rationalise deliveries. Can you re-use or return packaging for re-use? Are there opportunities to combine product deliveries with collections? Are repair, re-use or refurbishment services available for equipment?
  • Check your site for leaks (both from water pipes and any used to transport raw materials between processes) then repair and leaks found.
  • Rethink Waste is a free online tool from WRAP to help manufacturers reduce waste, improve resource efficiency and save money. Visit: www.wrap.org.uk/content/rethink-waste-resource-efficiency-manufacturers
  • Finding Cost Savings: Resource Efficiency for SMEs (www.wrap.org.uk/content/finding-cost-savings-resource-efficiency-smes) provides concise, useful reference information on resource efficiency, environmental legislation and management tools. It also has an overview of the activities that small businesses may be involved in.
• If you have any concerns, you need to contact your regulator. Natural Resources Wales is the regulator for Wales and can be reached at: www.naturalresourceswales.gov.uk or 0300 065 3000