10 ways in which manufacturers can reduce their Carbon (GHG) emissions

PUNE, India - Sept. 2, 2025 - PRLog -- A quarter (23%) of direct emissions in the US is contributed by manufacturing alone. Manufacturing is a major contributor to global Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and represents a significant challenge to sustainability goals. This calls for a paradigm shift. Manufacturers must prioritize sustainability, not just as a buzzword, but as a core principle.

Why does sustainability matter for manufacturers?

Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it's an immediate concern with far-reaching consequences. Rising global temperatures disrupt supply chains, lead to extreme weather events, and threaten the very resources needed for production. Beyond the environmental imperative, there's a compelling economic case for sustainability. Consumers are increasingly making purchasing decisions based on a company's environmental practices. Moreover, regulations around carbon emissions are becoming stricter, making it costly for manufacturers to remain non-compliant.

Understanding the manufacturing Carbon footprint

Before diving into solutions, it's crucial to understand where emissions originate within a manufacturing process. The carbon footprint of a manufacturing operation typically comprises three scopes:

• Scope 1: Direct emissions from owned or controlled sources, such as on-site fuel combustion.
• Scope 2: Indirect emissions from purchased energy, like electricity and heat.
• Scope 3: Indirect emissions from the value chain, including transportation, raw material production, and product use.

10 strategies for manufacturers to reduce Carbon (GHG) emissions

Manufacturers can create a greener future by taking the right steps. This involves adopting a multi-pronged approach that prioritizes resource efficiency, embraces circular economy principles, and leverages cutting-edge technologies. Here are 10 key strategies for manufacturers to significantly reduce their carbon footprint:

1.Embrace the Circular economy: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

The traditional "take-make-waste" model is no longer sustainable. The circular economy offers a solution. It emphasizes maximizing resource use throughout a product's lifecycle by focusing on:

• Reduce: Design products that are durable, easy to repair, and require minimal materials. Studies have shown that a 10% reduction in material use can lead to a 5-6% reduction in a product's carbon footprint.
• Reuse: Find new life for existing components through remanufacturing, refurbishment, or disassembly of spare parts. Volvo Group, for example, remanufactured used parts for new vehicles, achieving an 80% reduction in energy consumption compared to manufacturing from scratch.
• Recycle: Integrate recycled materials like steel into production processes. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that secondary steel production uses about 74% less energy than virgin steel.

For More information- https://sustainium.io/post/10-ways-in-which-manufacturers...