Going Green: Good For The Environment, Good For Bottom Lines

By Isaac Fletcher, contributing writer, Food Online

Consumers have become increasingly-more interested in sustainable and organic products, leading many manufacturers to implement sustainability initiatives to sharpen their competitive edge

Putting sustainability measures in place in the confines of your food facility not only benefits the environment, it also has the potential to increase profits, decrease production and operation costs, boost brand awareness, and bolster customer loyalty. To reap the greatest benefits from going green, food manufacturers should implement green strategies in the following areas.

Product Sourcing

The growth in demand for healthy food and products has been steady over the last decade and, according to USDA projections, will continue throughout the foreseeable future. Increased public awareness and support for organic food manufacturing has led many food brands to offer a wider selection of organic products. Organic production has become a key factor in gaining and retaining market share.

For products, such as palm oil, that are from tropical regions, some companies are gaining consumer loyalty by addressing concerns about rainforest deforestation. Unilever and Kellogg are two such companies that are requiring that their suppliers follow strict sustainability guidelines.

Toxin Elimination

Eliminating toxins from the manufacturing process is another way manufacturers are addressing the growing demand for food purity. Removing toxins from the production process means ensuring that cleaning agents, packaging materials, and equipment are all free of toxins. For example, flexible tubing used in many pieces of equipment may contain a phthalate called DEHP, which has raised chemical concerns among environmental health organizations due to its effects on human and environmental health. Replacing DEHP tubing with less toxic alternatives can improve the health and safety of products while earning the trust of consumers.

Packaging

Aside from using non-toxic packaging materials, manufacturers can lessen their environmental impact by reducing the amount of packaging used on their products. Furthermore, using recycled and other eco-friendly packaging options can bolster sustainability. Using thinner materials or implementing smaller packaging can ultimately result in significant cost savings and waste reduction.

Energy Efficiency

Major energy-saving initiatives, such as solar energy implementation, often garner the most attention, but other options that require little initial cost can result in significant energy reduction. For example, simply turning off equipment that is not in use can provide large energy savings. Additionally, performing regular maintenance, such as fixing leaks, air-sealing buildings, and making use of energy-efficient lighting, is a quick and easy method to save money through energy reduction.

Water Use

Many sectors of the food industry require very water-intensive processes. By conserving and recycling water in food manufacturing plants, companies can see huge savings. For example, one chicken-nugget processing plant in North Carolina saves $100,000 annually by cutting water use by 30 percent.

Transportation

Food manufacturers may also see significant savings by ensuring their transportation fleets are optimized for maximum efficiency. Fuel-saving technology and improved routing are excellent areas to start, and training drivers to employ efficiency best practices such as idle time reduction are an effective next step.