Not only is waste reduction a necessary step to take to minimise the impact that production has on the planet, reducing waste can also offer way to up business profitability. The necessary component to implementing waste reduction procedures, however, is to ensure that any processes that you introduce don’t impact the efficiency of production.
Waste can happen in all stages of production and it is important to pinpoint where and when the largest amounts of waste is happening so that it can be resolved.
Examples of common waste issues include excessive use of energy, using more raw materials than necessary, material waste in production, and incomplete or insufficient build of product during inspection.
While it may seem like an overwhelming feat to take on when inspecting for waste throughout the production cycle, there are solutions that can help with this process. One idea is to hire a waste specialist or to work with a production manager to detect potential waste.
Areas that machinery can contribute to waste prevention
Machinery can also contribute hugely to implementing waste prevention. Companies such as lundbergtech.com offer a wide range of waste solutions for production industries. Some of the waste handling solutions that they offer includes:
- Printing
- Converting and die cutting
- Laminating and coating
- Packaging
- Film extrusion
- Unwrapping and debagging
- Label converting
Thing to look for to minimise waste
Oftentimes excessive waste happens in ways that are not directly seen or thought of. While it is worthwhile to do a thorough check in all of your production systems, some things to look for in your pursuit for waste reduction are:
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- Ways to reduce or stop leaks and spills.
- Sealing your systems.
- Minimising frequent stoppages in the production line.
- Frequent check-ups on machinery so that it is working properly.
- Replacing or upgrading outdated or dysfunctional equipment.
- Reusing rinse water in all cooling systems.
Another possibility is to begin using raw materials more efficiently. One common way this is done is by making sure that the exact amount of materials is ordered for each particular job.
The way that materials are stored can lead to potential waste as well. Improperly stored materials can lead to anything from inviting damp in, to material degradation due to pests.
Conclusion
There are endless ways to minimising waste in production which can offer many benefits to your business and the environment.