Blog 10: Should Companies "Go Green" by Recycling?

The recent trend is building to recycle. Many companies may still think that implementing "earth-saving techniques and methods" may cost them more, but maybe that is just an misconception.

In fact, manufacturing plants in particular can save costs by recycling scraps. Costs that would have incurred if plants did not recycle are - disposal fees, additional material purchases, labor to rid the piles of waste, and an overall less friendly environment.

To analyze the problem, a decision support system can be designed by allowing the user to design a plant layout with the ability to reproduce production processes through historical data and forecasts. Historical data can also represent the average amount of scraps from each part produced and packaged. In addition, potential savings are instant if items are easily recyclable. However, what can't be modeled are employees' attitudes towards the recycling program. Perhaps a survey can be used to know the majority of employee's attitudes towards the recycling implementation. Incentives such as a $25 gift certificate or half day off if a certain recycling quota is met (i.e. 800 lbs of recycled paper within 1 week is the projected goal) will be given to employees for motivation and cooperation for the implementation of the program.

If companies start utilizing decision support systems in deciding implementation for recycling, then maybe more companies might realize that recycling may even reduce costs.

References
Manufacturers achieve scrap recycle targets. Environmental Transport Association (ETA). 21 April, 2008. Retrieved April 21, 2008 from http://www.eta.co.uk/node/10487.