Sustainability Insights / 07.30.2024

Sustainability Insights by Maddie Carlson (July 2024)

Sustainability Insights by Maddie Carlson

Sustainability Insights by Maddie Carlson (July 2024) - Image

Sustainability Insights by Maddie Carlson

Future of Regret

 

Back in the day, people didn’t wear seatbelts, cigarettes were marketed to teenagers, trash was thrown to the side of the road, the agriculture industry sprayed harsh DEET pesticides over fields and people, toy manufacturers painted cars and dollhouses with lead paint, and reusable water bottles were made with BPA (carcinogen-laced) plastics. What do all these have in common? Easy: They are bad for you and the environment.

We implemented these products in society without testing their effects, and the results were devastating. Waterways were contaminated, habitats were destroyed, and people became sick and even died.

Why am I telling you this? Why is it important for manufacturing? Because it is vital for all manufacturers to be certain that their products will not have long-term negative effects before production. The most effective way to ensure this is through a life cycle analysis, which, despite the initial investment of time and resources, can lead to significant cost savings in the long run. Failing to do so could lead to environmental damage, health risks, and a future of regret, as we’ve seen since the Industrial Revolution.

Lifecycle analysis (LCA) is important because it systematically evaluates a product’s environmental impacts from the raw material stage through manufacturing, usage, and disposal. This is where the importance of circularity comes in. It’s not just about identifying areas where environmental improvements can be made, it’s about taking responsibility for them. The LCA considers various factors, including energy consumption, waste generation, and emissions. This analysis supports sustainable development by giving metrics to guide product design, plan production processes, and make policy decisions.

The European Union takes a precautionary approach and has banned over 1,600 chemicals in personal care products and food additives. One study by The Center for Biological Diversity found that in 2016, the U.S. used 1.2 billion pounds of pesticides, of which 322 million pounds were banned in the E.U. The U.S. is behind in chemical regulation. If we wait for the government to establish chemical bans, years of damage will occur.

Taking responsibility for all the materials, ingredients, and processes will not only display care for the environment and people but also enhance your brand’s reputation. In an increasingly eco-conscious market, consumers are more likely to support companies that demonstrate a genuine commitment to sustainability.

By prioritizing life cycle analysis and sustainable practices, manufacturers can avoid the negative effects, recalls, and living in a future of regret. We may even be able to stop saying, “I can’t believe we used to do that” and instead say, “We’ve always been ahead of the curve in ensuring the safety and sustainability of our products.” Wouldn’t that be nice?

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