How to Take Your Manufacturing Company into a More Sustainable Direction

Julie Starr • February 25, 2022



When it comes to sustainability in the manufacturing industry, there are a lot of things to think about. From reducing energy consumption and waste production to ensuring that your products are environmentally friendly and recyclable, there are many ways to make your manufacturing company more sustainable. This blog post will discuss some of the most important steps you can take to make your manufacturing business more sustainable. You’ll also find some tips on how to get started!

#1 Evaluate your manufacturing process

The first step to making your manufacturing company more sustainable is to take a close look at how you’re currently operating. Are there any areas where you could be more efficient? For example, are there ways to reduce energy consumption or waste production? Once you’ve identified some areas for improvement, you can start working on making changes.

If you’re not sure where to start, there are plenty of resources available online that can help you assess your manufacturing process and identify areas for improvement. One helpful resource is the EPA’s Energy Star program, which provides guidance and resources for businesses looking to improve their energy efficiency.

#2 Implement energy-saving measures

Once you’ve identified areas for improvement, it’s time to start implementing some energy-saving measures. There are a number of ways to do this, and the options will vary depending on your manufacturing process. Some common energy-saving measures include:

  • Installing LED lighting
  • Upgrading to more efficient machinery or equipment
  • Replacing older appliances with newer models that are more energy-efficient
  • Making changes to your production process to reduce energy consumption

By implementing just a few of these measures, you can make a big difference in terms of reducing your company’s energy consumption. And since electricity is one of the most expensive costs for manufacturers, reducing your use can save you a lot of money in the long run.

If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to energy-saving measures, there are plenty of resources and guides available online. The Department of Energy’s Industrial Technologies Program offers a range of resources for businesses looking to improve their energy efficiency, including case studies, best practices, and technical assistance.

#3 Reduce waste production

In addition to reducing energy consumption, another important way to make your manufacturing company more sustainable is to reduce waste production. This can be done in a number of ways, including:

  • Reducing packaging and shipping materials
  • Recycling or repurposing scrap materials
  • Converting waste products into new products
  • Implementing green logistics practices

All of these measures can help you reduce the amount of waste your company produces, which will not only save you money but also help protect the environment. In addition, there are a number of resources and programs available to help businesses reduce their waste production. For example, the EPA’s WasteWise program offers resources and assistance for businesses looking to implement waste reduction programs.

#4 Use environmentally friendly materials and processes

One of the best ways to make your manufacturing company more sustainable is to use environmentally friendly materials and processes when Vacuum forming your products. This not only helps protect the environment but can also save you money in terms of reduced energy consumption and waste production. There are a number of different ways to go about using environmentally friendly materials and processes, so it’s important to find one that will work for your business. Some common options include:

  • Switching to biodegradable or compostable materials
  • Using recycled or reclaimed materials
  • Using renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power
  • Implementing green chemistry practices

All of these measures can help reduce the environmental impact of your manufacturing process. And by using environmentally friendly materials and processes, you can also improve your company’s reputation and attract new customers. Sustainability is an important consideration for any business, but it’s especially critical for manufacturers. By making a few simple changes, you can take your manufacturing company in a more sustainable direction and help protect the environment while saving money in the process.

#5 Educate your employees

One of the best ways to make your manufacturing company more sustainable is to educate your employees about sustainability and how they can help. This includes educating them on the importance of reducing energy consumption , waste production, and using environmentally friendly materials and processes. There are a number of ways to do this, including:

  • Holding workshops or training sessions on sustainability
  • Creating an online resource center with information on sustainability measures
  • Including sustainability topics in employee training programs

By educating your employees about sustainability, you can help them understand how they can contribute to making their company more sustainable. And by involving your employees in the process, you’ll create a team of advocates who will be instrumental in helping you achieve your sustainability goals. This will allow your company to move into a more sustainable direction much quicker seeing as everyone will be working together towards the same goal.

#6 Partner with other companies that practice sustainability

Another great way to make your manufacturing company more sustainable is to partner with other companies that practice sustainability. This can help you learn from their best practices and also improve your company’s reputation as well as get the word out there about your business’ new sustainable stamp. There are a number of ways to find companies that practice sustainability, including:

  • Searching online directories such as Green Business Network
  • Attending trade shows or conferences focused on sustainable manufacturing
  • Asking suppliers if they practice sustainability

By partnering with other companies that practice sustainability, you can learn from their example and take your own business in a more sustainable direction.

Sustainability is becoming increasingly important for businesses, especially manufacturers. There are several simple changes you can make to take your manufacturing company in a more sustainable direction. By reducing energy consumption, waste production, and using environmentally friendly materials and processes, you can save money while helping to protect the environment. And by educating your employees and partnering with other companies that practice sustainability, you can further improve your company’s reputation and bottom line.

 

5 Everyday Items That Can Quietly Boost Your Brand

By Julie Starr • July 17, 2025
The best branding doesn’t always come from big campaigns or expensive graphics. Sometimes it’s the smaller stuff that leaves the biggest impression. Things people actually use, touch, or carry with them. That’s where your brand can quietly make its mark without needing to shout about it. If you’re only focusing on social media and business cards, you’re leaving a lot on the table. Here are five overlooked ways to get your name out there that feel natural, useful, and more personal. Thank-you slips If you’re already sending out orders, there’s no reason not to include a short thank-you slip. You can easily get these made through any decent online print shop , and they’re usually pretty cheap to run off in small batches. Just a simple note that says thanks, maybe with a reminder to follow you online or a cheeky discount code for next time. It’s quick, thoughtful, and makes the whole order feel more finished. Customers notice that kind of detail, especially when everything else they buy online comes with zero personality. You don’t need a complicated design either. Just something clean with your logo, a message that sounds like you, and maybe a social handle. The point is to give them a reason to come back or remember your name without it feeling forced. Branded zip pouches If you sell physical products, offer services, or run events, small zip pouches are surprisingly effective. Think of the kind you’d use for stationery, receipts, or travel bits. You can get your brand printed on the side and hand them out with purchases or include them in welcome packs. People keep them because they’re actually useful. They get tossed in handbags, school bags, or glove boxes and your logo just keeps turning up. Cleaning cloths for glasses or screens This one works brilliantly if you’re in tech, health, beauty, or anything involving screens or eyewear. A simple microfibre cloth with your branding on it can go a long way. Everyone needs one. Whether they use it for glasses, a phone screen, or their laptop, it’s something they hang onto. It’s not the kind of thing people throw away, and that means your name sticks around too. Receipt envelopes You might already use little envelopes to hand over receipts or business cards. Branding those envelopes is a small change that makes a big difference. Instead of someone getting a scruffy bit of paper in a plain sleeve, they’re handed something that feels a bit more finished. You can even add a message inside. Doesn’t need to be anything dramatic. A simple “thanks for visiting” or “see you next time” is enough to add a personal touch. Wet wipes or mini hand gels If your business is in hospitality, food, or anything hands-on, branded wet wipes or pocket-sized hand gels are surprisingly popular. People actually use them, especially at festivals, food stalls, pop-ups, or kids’ events. They end up in handbags or cars and stick around longer than you think. They don’t scream “marketing” either. They’re practical, and when done right, they make your business feel thoughtful. That’s what good branding does, it shows you’ve thought ahead.

How Student-Led ‘Energy Audits’ Are Cutting School Costs (and Lighting the Way Forward)

By Julie Starr • July 14, 2025
What happens when students stop waiting for adults to fix things and start conducting their own energy audits? Money gets saved. The lights get switched off. Data gets analyzed. And a quiet revolution in sustainability begins—inside schools that once overlooked their own inefficiencies. Across the globe, student-led energy audits are proving that change doesn't always need to come from a policy shift or a major capital budget. Sometimes, it begins with a clipboard, a spreadsheet, and a group of curious minds asking: Why are the hallway lights on at noon when sunlight floods the building? The Energy Detectives These audits aren’t science fair projects. They’re rigorous investigations, often done in collaboration with facilities staff, local environmental nonprofits, or even engineering mentors. Students go from classroom to classroom measuring electricity usage, checking for phantom loads , and identifying where heat is escaping in winter or air conditioning is leaking in summer. One high school in Ontario saved over $12,000 a year after its Grade 11 physics students ran an energy audit and suggested simple changes—LED upgrades, motion sensors in bathrooms, and smarter heating schedules. They didn’t just propose ideas. They pitched them with spreadsheets, thermal images, and payback timelines. It worked. Learning That Pays Off—Literally Unlike textbook learning, these audits blend real-world math, environmental science, economics, and persuasive communication. Students aren’t just learning about sustainability. They’re doing it. And the savings add up. From dimming overlit hallways to reprogramming HVAC systems that run all weekend for empty buildings, students are surfacing blind spots that administrators often overlook. In some districts, their findings are influencing energy policy. Elsewhere, the audits have inspired school boards to hire sustainability coordinators—often alumni of the student programs themselves. There’s something poetic about a school funding new books or laptops from money saved by students who found out the vending machines didn’t need to be plugged in 24/7. Why This Matters More Than Ever With education budgets tightening and utility costs rising, every dollar saved is a dollar that can go back into classrooms. And here’s where it gets interesting from a family finance perspective, too. If you’re a parent setting aside money for post-secondary savings, every bit of school efficiency helps. Fewer energy costs might mean more programming, better STEM facilities, or even bursaries. That raises a broader point: when families save for their children’s future, they often look into RESPs (Registered Education Savings Plans). And many wonder—is a RESP deduction available on my taxes? While contributions themselves aren’t deductible, the gains grow tax-free, and students often pay little to no tax when they withdraw the funds during school. A Movement Worth Replicating These audits aren’t just an exercise in environmentalism. They’re leadership labs. Students learn how to spot inefficiencies, speak up in board meetings, and make a business case for change. They don’t just flip switches—they shift mindsets. And they carry these habits into adulthood. The result? A generation growing up not only with climate anxiety, but also with tools to tackle it.