Sustainable Manufacturing Practices: Evaluating the Environmental Benefits of Biodegradable Polymers and Recycled Metals

Abstract

Among all industries looking for economic development and environmental responsibility, sustainable manufacturing has gained popularity worldwide. This study reviews how biodegradable polymers and recycled metals can be utilized to encourage sustainable manufacturing. In reality, biodegradable polymers are made from renewable materials such as starch or cellulose; hence they can be utilized rather than common plastics and they can avoid contamination caused by non-disposable polymers while at the same time improving resource productivity. Biodegradable polymers have found various applications in packaging, agriculture, and pharm sectors where they contribute towards sustainable product advancement through their potential to break down under certain conditions ensuring that no waste remains behind after usage. On the other hand, recycled metals are significant for accomplishing circularity in manufacturing systems and bringing down the natural impacts related to different stages of manufacturing processes. Recycled metals offer assistance to save natural resources, reduce energy utilization, and lower the amount of GHGs produced by mining and refining virgin ore. For sustainable manufacturing, this paper highlights participation as well as development and technology integration among other things. For instance; making eco-friendly materials may be one such activity while digitalizing production processes can be another great thought for improving environmental sustainability in the manufacturing sector. Moreover, this paper suggests a few areas that can foster greater natural protection amid production activities like switching over renewable sources of power supply for energy usage. These actions will not only guarantee economic development but also protect our environment because somehow they are interrelated to each other.

Keywords

• biodegradable polymers
• recycled metals
• sustainability
• innovation
• manufacturing
• digitalization
• production process
• energy consumption
• greenhouse gas