FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILITY
“ Businesses must create inclusive environments that promote sustainable production while benefitting the local community .”
ETHICAL MANUFACTURING
Aligning your production , staff development and customer outreach within a framework of ethical manufacturing can lead to improved quality , higher productivity and increased revenues .
Businesses have a big impact on their community , whether that involves how they care for the environment or how they contribute to the lives of their staff , writes Jake Holyoak of Jermyn Street Design .
This is particularly true for manufacturers . Their presence is vital in supporting communities and providing essential products for consumers and other businesses , but their environmental impact can be large . The challenge for manufacturers is how to achieve an ethical status while improving their business processes .
From eliminating waste to developing staff , ethical manufacturing has many forms . Here , we explore the topic of ethical manufacturing , understand what it means , why it ’ s important and how a business can achieve a positive impact in the world .
What does ethical manufacturing mean ?
Ethical manufacturing is a holistic approach to the manufacturing process that focuses on
By
Jake Holyoak , Jermyn Street Design
good health for all involved . This means that a product ’ s design , creation and use maintain sustainable standards and that the item and the process of making these has a positive impact on communities .
An ethical manufacturer has oversight and cares about each section of its business and supply chain , prioritising the wellbeing of customers and staff as well as the environment in which they work , shop and source materials .
Ethical businesses want to operate in the best interest of workers . The health and happiness of staff become priorities , going beyond the standard legal requirements . This means that safety is not sacrificed , and workers are treated fairly . In turn , this can benefit a business through a boost in productivity and staff retention .
Ethical production may include material and energy use . Is renewable energy used as part of the manufacturing process ? Are materials recycled or are products designed to minimise the amount of waste produced in manufacturing ?
This is key for many manufacturing businesses that have waste management issues , such as fashion and clothing manufacturers . An estimated 92 million tons of textile waste is created annually from the fashion industry . Ethical clothing manufacturers must ensure that their processes decrease or limit their waste through the design of their garments or by reusing materials . This process
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