Going Green

I am sure this will not be the first post on the topic of environment friendly manufacturing. The Sri Lanka Sunday Times has reported that the worlds first clean fabric manufacturing zone (MAS Fabric Park) has opened in Sri Lanka. They plan to recycle most of the effluents, generate bio gas, compost (fertiliser) and all. Look at the link below.

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/071021/FinancialTimes/ft302.html

A question is if such examples are mere blips in the otherwise "dirty" world of manufacturing. I strongly believe that there is no question on the need of clean technologies. Sustaining business on a long term needs clean policies.

At some level it is all a question of economics. Water is very cheap, so there is no incentive for companies to recycle. Air is free, so again, clean technologies are not really a priority. What should the governments do? This question can be a wasteful intellectual discussion and would probably have no end. A better question is what we in business should do.

All new facilities set up anywhere must be environmentally friendly. Yes, strong anti pollution legislations may not happen in the near future. But, one bout of acid rain can change all that. The recent Nobel peace prize to Al Gore has also made it difficult for governments to ignore the issue. Businesses can expect strong pressures for clean technologies in a few years. Rather than have facilities that are rendered redundant, it would be smart to start the plans from today.

Here's one more link

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=123102?imw=Y

Kia Motors is planning mass production of its new "green"vehicle.