Embracing sustainable and green principles is not just a trend. Cultivating such practices helps organizations become more efficient, competitive, and profitable. It’s more than simply a good thing to do. Manufacturers are realizing the many short- and long-term financial benefits from implementing environmentally conscious improvements.

The difference between sustainability and ‘going green’

Going green is not the same thing as sustainability, albeit they are related. The terms are often used interchangeably; however, green is more frequently associated with a single product or process. Examples include improving a specific operation so that it doesn’t harm the environment, or creating a product made entirely out of recycled materials.

Sustainability is typically associated with an organization’s holistic approach; it takes the entire production process and logistics into consideration. For example, you might purchase a product made out of recycled goods, but if it was made overseas and environmentally harmful methods were used to transport it to the United States, you wouldn’t be adhering to sustainable principles.

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