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Modern companies are encouraged to be less wasteful and more considerate of how they affect the natural environment.

Pollution

Pollution is caused when harmful substances are released into the natural environment. Pollution can occur in the air, water or natural land. Legislation has been brought in to help with this issue. For example, in the UK cosmetic products can no longer contain plastic microbeads as these were previously polluting the ocean. Harmful products, such as batteries, should be disposed of correctly, and companies are being encouraged by government incentives to recycle waste wherever possible.

Waste disposal

It is important to ensure that companies work in an efficient manner. This includes increasing the speed of production, reducing errors and reducing waste, which can be done by utilising automation or computer aided manufacture (CAM). Implementing quality control (QC) checks ensures that errors are quickly spotted and provides the customer with reassurance. Designers need to design with disposal in mind, so that products can be dismantled for parts, for full recycling or for reuse. This will reduce the waste that ends up in landfill.

Material separation

Oil and metals are raw materials that are finite resources, meaning that they will run out. Separating materials for recycling or reusing them is one way to ensure less ends up in landfill and instead is available for future generations.

Governments and local councils provide recycling bins or bags to encourage households to recycle their waste. Mixed waste has to be sorted, with automated machines making use of new technologies to separate materials to be cleaned, ready for processing into new products.

Transportation of goods around the world

Manufacturing processes in factories or the use of day-to-day products like cars can cause harmful chemicals, such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, to be released. These chemicals pollute the air and natural land. Worldwide environmental awareness has led to limitations on the levels of pollution and emissions of greenhouse gases, as well as targets on renewable energy generation, to try to stop global warming. The development of more efficient electrical products, such as low-energy lightbulbs, and better building insulation has cut down on energy costs. Some countries offer incentives to increase the use of emission controls, electric vehicles and energy-saving devices, such as better insulation and automatic shut-off devices.

Packaging of goods

How materials and resources are disposed of is carefully monitored and managed by local councils. Households are encouraged to recycle waste items where possible, including products made from various materials such as hard plastics, paper and steel. In 2016, the UK recycled 25 per cent of household waste, with the target of 50 per cent in 2020. All other waste goes to landfill sites, which release harmful gases that pollute the surrounding air and soil.