Resources Sustainability through Material Efficiency Strategies: An Insight Study of Electrical and Electronic Companies (original) (raw)
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Sustainability
A circular economy can be achieved by the efficient use of materials across different industries and sectors. In the manufacturing sectors, practicing material efficiency is one of the effective strategies to reduce material usage and solid waste generation. However, due to many unknown factors, such as key drivers to enhance material efficiency, most of the time, manufacturers are practicing at the minimum level of material saving. This study aims to examine the key drivers of material efficiency among electrical and electronic (E&E) companies to fulfill the aims of sustainable manufacturing. The data collection and synthesis were conducted using semi-structured interviews and an analytical hierarchy process survey. In this study, thirteen key drivers were found. Five internal drivers and eight external drivers with different priorities were found to influence E&E companies in the practice of material efficiency strategies. In addition, the drivers’ implications to different practi...
E3S web of conferences, 2022
The use of a sustainable future has led to the recognition of the crucial role played by the combination of materials, energy, and resource efficiency. The integration in question exemplifies the fundamental concepts of circularity, the optimisation of resources, and the responsible management of the environment. The focal point lies in the conscientious acquisition and administration of materials, as well as the prudent utilisation of energy resources and the reduction of waste. This abstract explores the importance of incorporating materials, energy, and resource efficiency in order to achieve sustainability. It emphasises concrete, practical applications that exemplify the feasibility and transformative capacity of this integrated approach. There are many practical applications of the utilisation of reclaimed wood for the production of sustainable furniture, the incorporation of recycled steel in the construction of building structures, and the integration of eco-friendly composites in the manufacturing processes of the automotive industry. The electronics sector is currently integrating circular economy principles into its operations by adopting strategies that prioritise the ease of disassembly, repair, and recycling of items. Apple and similar corporations have implemented recycling initiatives aimed at refurbishing and repurposing outdated equipment, thereby prolonging their lifespan and reducing the generation of electronic waste. By examining these actual applications and others, it becomes evident that the incorporation of materials, energy, and resource efficiency not only corresponds with sustainability objectives but also yields concrete environmental, economic, and societal advantages.
2017
Material efficiency is a key element of new thinking to address the challenges of reducing impacts on the environment and of resource scarcity, whilst at the same time meeting service and functionality demands on materials. Directly related to material efficiency is the concept of the Circular Economy, which is based on the principle of optimising the utility embodied in materials and products through the life cycle. Whilst steel, as a result of high recycling rates, is one of the most ‘circular’ of all manufactured materials, significant opportunities for greater material efficiency exist, which are yet to be widely implemented. In the field of Life Cycle Management, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is commonly used to assess the environmental benefits of recovering and recycling materials through the manufacturing supply chain and at end-of-life. As well as containing information to calculate environmental impacts, LCA models also provide the flows of materials through the ...
Sustainability, 2016
Material efficiency is one of the most important strategies for helping manufacturing companies achieve sustainability in their production activities. However, there are many barriers to the implementation of material efficiency strategies in the manufacturing processes and overall business operations. The aim of this study is to identify and evaluate the barriers faced by Electrical and Electronics (E&E) manufacturing companies in Malaysia in implementing material efficiency strategies. A mixed-mode research method was employed to collect data from these companies. Semi-structured interviews were used to identify the barriers faced by the Malaysian Electrical and Electronics (E&E) industry, while an Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) survey was utilized to determine the importance of each barrier. Seven companies participated in the semi-structured interviews, and 18 companies took part in the AHP survey. Nine barriers were generated from analysis of the interviews, and were then ranked by priority using the AHP method. These important findings could be used as a guide for E&E companies in managing or overcoming barriers during the implementation of material efficiency strategies and other sustainable manufacturing activities.
Sustainable Manufacturing Practices: Reducing Waste and Energy Consumption in Production Systems
European Journal of Advances in Engineering and Technology, 2020
Sustainable manufacturing practices are increasingly vital in the quest for environmentally responsible production systems. This study explores strategies aimed at reducing waste and energy consumption within manufacturing processes, addressing both environmental and economic challenges. Sustainable manufacturing focuses on optimizing resource use, minimizing waste generation, and lowering energy intensity, which aligns with global sustainability goals and offers significant operational benefits. The paper reviews various approaches and technologies contributing to sustainable manufacturing. Key strategies include lean manufacturing, which emphasizes the reduction of waste through continuous improvement, and the adoption of energy-efficient machinery and renewable energy sources. Innovations such as additive manufacturing and circular economy principles are also examined for their potential to transform traditional manufacturing processes. Additive manufacturing reduces material waste by building components layer-by-layer, while circular economy practices promote recycling and reuse, extending product lifecycles and conserving resources. Furthermore, the study highlights the importance of cultural and organizational shifts towards sustainability. Effective implementation requires engaging stakeholders across all levels of an organization, fostering a culture of environmental responsibility, and incorporating training and awareness programs. Through a comprehensive review of current research and case studies, this paper identifies the benefits and challenges associated with sustainable manufacturing practices. The findings underscore the critical role of innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing sustainable manufacturing and addressing the environmental challenges of modern production systems. This study provides valuable insights for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers committed to enhancing sustainability in manufacturing operations.
Circular economy in manufacturing companies: A review of case study literature
Journal of Cleaner Production, 2021
Manufacturing companies have played an important role in improving standards of living worldwide. However, in a linear setting, they are also linked to unsustainable production and consumption patterns. The concept of circular economy has gained traction in recent years: it aims at eventually severing this link, through keeping resources 'in the loop'. Through a systematic literature review, this paper seeks to revisit the concept of circular economy in the manufacturing industry in order to determine whether the body of research has moved beyond concept development and into verified implementation in industry. Furthermore, we aim to analyse the important link between circular economy in manufacturing and sustainable development. The review shows that the field has indeed moved from purely conceptual work into empirical studies and research into implementation tools. However, in empirical studies, the sustainability impact of CE practices is typically adressed only through the environmental dimension, neglecting the social and economic dimensions. Further, a key finding is that the prevalence of narrow approaches to sustainability in manufacturing leads to a risk that circular economy implementation efforts will fail to provide solutions that are socially, environmentally, and economically beneficial. Holistic approaches are needed to avoid the implementation of solutions that may be framed as circular, but neglect the sustainability component.
E3S web of conferences, 2022
In a time characterised by increasing environmental apprehensions and the necessity for sustainable progress, the effective utilisation of resources has become a crucial mandate for enterprises, governments, and communities alike. This summary presents a comprehensive examination of the several techniques and practises that are crucial in attaining sustainable materials and energy management. Efficient resource utilisation comprises a wide range of ideas and practises, which include but are not limited to material efficiency, energy conservation, waste reduction, and measures related to the circular economy. This study examines the fundamental elements of these methods, emphasising the significance of resource optimisation and its contribution to the reduction of environmental consequences linked to resource extraction and use. The achievement of efficient resource management is contingent upon the implementation of robust policy frameworks, the exercise of corporate responsibility, and the cultivation of consumer awareness. The significance of lifecycle assessments (LCAs) and the incorporation of eco-design concepts into the process of product creation is underscored in order to mitigate resource consumption and environmental consequences from the very beginning. The adoption of circular economy models, characterised by the conservation, reuse, and recycling of resources within a closed-loop system, holds significant potential for enhancing resource efficiency. In this paper, we elucidate the advantages associated with the adoption of circular economy practises and provide illustrative examples of organisations that have effectively implemented these concepts. In the context of a world with limited resources, organisations that prioritise efficient resource utilisation not only adhere to ethical principles but also gain a strategic edge, enhancing their prospects for long-term viability. These abstract lays the groundwork for further investigation into the diverse tactics and technologies that have the potential to drive us towards a future that is more sustainable and efficient in terms of resource utilisation.
Circular Economy Practices in the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Sector in the European Union
Our research objective is to investigate the circular economy practices implemented by manufacturers in the electric appliance sector. The research methodology was mixed, selecting relevant fragments from the nonfinancial reporting of a sample of entities in the European Union and following the whole process, from the conception of the product to the end of its life. The results indicate that the companies analysed take similar actions. Therefore, the companies' efforts are focused not only on finding solutions for equipment manufacturing based on a circular model (increasing the use of recycled or easily recyclable materials, reducing consumption or recycling more efficiently) but also on changing the way the consumer uses the products (for instance, by finding solutions to recover equipment components and reuse them, by reducing consumption, or even by recycling the generated waste). The study contributes to improving the knowledge of the actions taken to implement a circular business model by companies in a sector that consumes large amounts of resources and generates significant waste, such as the one analysed. The results highlight the intentions and progress made by companies producing electric appliances in their transition to the circular business model.