About 3,500 ASME members responded to the ASME/Autodesk Sustainability Survey—2,500 working engineers and 1,000 students. The survey polled the engineers and students to gauge the influence that the issue of sustainability is having on their work or education. A different questionnaire was sent to engineer members and student members, but all were asked to comment in addition to answering the aided questions on the form. The survey received thousands of comments. These represent a selection for browsing, arranged by theme.
Alan S. Brown’s report on the survey results, “Conflict on the Green,” is listed under Features in the March 2009 issue of Mechanical Engineering Online.
—The Editors
WHY CONSIDER SUSTAINABILITY IN DESIGN?
Morality
“It is the right and moral thing to do.”
“I think it's their professional responsibility to adopt sustainable practices and try to make their manufacturing processes use less energy and natural resources.”
“It's simple—so that our children and their children may enjoy the same standard of living that we do, or better. I firmly believe that without sustainable practices, that a downturn in our standard of living is inevitable.”
“We all live downstream. As we look to the future we should have sufficient vision to see where we are headed and with our current efforts we can effect meaningful course corrections.”
Survival
“The obvious reason is to extend the length of time humans will be able to survive on this planet. Also, to improve our living conditions in the meantime. I believe profit is a good thing, and I am certainly not a ‘tree hugger,’ but at some point the cycle of manufacturing new, short life cycles, and uncontrolled disposal will affect our standard of living.”
“Do we really want to know what the Earth will look like in 100 years if we don't?”
“Our energy supply is hugely at risk; the population is too large for the water supply we have. (Sure, natural gas is great, but extracting it requires huge volumes of water.) We simply don't have the natural resources, nor the monetary base to continue wasting our resources. America has great, mindless consumers, and the advertising has got to stop encouraging waste.”
“Global warming is the result of the irresponsible industrial revolution. Since our government has only eased environmental regulations opting for corporate profit over enviro-protection, it is up to manufacturers to take responsibility and carry out business in the least impactful way.”
“More businesses, especially engineering, should speak out against the travesty of science called ‘climate change,’ which is being sold as something that mankind can actually influence. The science to support the IPCC's conclusion is just not there and if businesses don't reject the IPCC premise that man has caused the climate to change, then businesses will find themselves saddled with regulation that will force more of their bottom lines to go to governments who do not create jobs or wealth.”
Economics
“I think they should adopt ‘sustainable practices’ if it results in simultaneous improvement in efficiency and reduction in environment footprint. Again, in my industry, reducing the packaging could result in severe risk to the patient.”
“I don't, especially with regard to greenhouse gases. Nothing could more of a waste of resources. It is a disturbing political push, largely lacking a scientific basis. A company would be foolish to follow the mantra. It is also disappointing that the ASME leadership has bought into this.”
“Because it makes good business sense. Energy and materials are not free. Reducing the costs associated with manufacturing improves the bottom line and is environmentally sound. Reducing the consumer costs associated with using a product increases customer delight with the product and can be used to effectively market the product. Companies that adopt sustainable practices will survive. Those that do not will ultimately be unable to compete and will fail.”
Market Factors
“For me, personally, it just seems like the right thing to do. We all have a responsibility, as co-inhabitants, to take care of this planet. I also think it makes business sense long-term. Products that are more sustainable tend to require more up-front R&D investment, but they do better in the marketplace. Unfortunately, we only build a new product every 7-10 years, and there's little incentive to make incremental improvements in our existing products.
“Investing in those practices will bring results cost savings, quality improvement, marketing advantage longer term. Look at what has happened to the 'Detroit Big 3' car-truck manufacturers after they failed to keep investing in vehicles with less carbon footprint.”
“I believe that all should do their utmost to keep the environment healthy. However, I view the current movement toward government interference to battle unproven "man-made" climate change and reduction of CO2 as wasteful. Sustainable and clean technologies will provide businesses with market advantages.”
HURDLES TO SUSTAINABILITY IN MANUFACTURING
“Getting companies to invest in the materials/processes required to make products more sustainable. There exists a large knowledge gap in the industry currently, which is inevitably leading toward much ‘green-washing’ in existing products rather than true sustainable products/processes. Once a greater understanding and more accessible resources become part of the culture of manufacturing companies, then we'll begin to see a greater impact.”
“The industry of today is more worried about upfront costs, especially given the recent economic downturn. The green and sustainable practices are more likely to cost less over a 5-10 year timeframe, rather than the ‘what can you do for me now’ attitude.”
“Competitive pricing from countries that do not have any or very little regulation in relation to green manufacturing is the largest hurdle. Manufacturing in the U.S.A. is at a disadvantage because of regulation to be green versus countries that have little regulation. So, being green and still competitive is a big challenge.”
“Most companies are in the business of making a profit. If sustainable processes are more expensive in a competitive environment, then they will not be done unless they are mandated by law or by customers.”
“Ignorance of the resulting financial benefits for the company. Any change in manufacturing requires an investment. With manufacturing way down and the recent bank issues making it difficult to get credit. Sustainable innovation is going to be a hard sell.”
“We must change the emphasis of ‘cost’ to include issues like 'having less scrap can save the cost of a product.’ Many processes that are sustainable can and do save money. These processes need to be documented and taught in the education systems so that engineers are thinking sustainablility when they enter the workforce.”
“The attitude of ‘We've always done things THIS way,’ and interruption of work to learn new techniques.”
“Some sustainable practices are relatively simple to implement, and the hurdle is merely normal human laziness institutionalized. Some sustainable practices require significant investment, so economic factors weigh more heavily. Perhaps the biggest hurdle is the lack of a clear ‘roadmap’ to effective sustainable practices. As there is no single technique or practice, each industry or even location must figure out on its own what sustainable practices it can effectively implement.”
“Sustainable practices and designs add to more rules, laws, codes, etc. that drive up the cost for manufacturing. I believe in a free market. Consumers drive the market, not politicians and other busybody organizations. If the public wants to live in green environment they will buy those types of products and the market will adjust and produce them. Producing them first, because they are pressured to do so does not make them a good selling product.”
“Most of the so-called ‘green’ issues are politically motivated, and I highly doubt the honesty of most of the advocates.”
“The biggest issues facing manufacturing within the private sector is the level of management STEM awareness (science, technology, engineering, math). Having worked in automotive I know the disaster that businessmen can wreak upon a company. They see a company for its personal contribution to their own wealth. Hence, America needs better STEM-sensitive managements. Also, China has to be held responsible for control here. They seem to just respond to monetary investment from the U.S., not compassionate for human safety. This is a major problem with this culture. They fail in this regard.”
“Lack of clear, mandatory federal government regulations that require industry-wide sustainable practices to be adopted. Regulations should include changes to the tax code to encourage sustainability and discourage the status quo. Regulations should also require companies that import products to the U.S. to meet some standard of sustainability, so that there is a ‘level playing field’ and so that there is no additional incentive to send our manufacturing overseas.”
“The single largest factor, which is magnitudes larger than other hurdles is as follows: Western economies are predicated on designed obsolescence and the need for continually repackaging and selling a new product, instead of designing products to be repaired, upgraded, and enhanced without scrapping the entire device. Unless a fundamental reshaping of this economic model is incorporated—one in which products are designed to be repaired or upgraded instead of thrown away and replaced, then all other efforts are relatively futile.”
ENCOURAGING ADOPTION OF SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
“This question is not relevant. Sustainability is customer driven, not industry driven.”
“If we could get at least five of the major energy-producing and energy-using industries to really put a lot of effort into green and sustainable products, rather than the facade or dog-and-pony show that is going on, it would assuredly give the other smaller industries the nudge they need. The large companies are not telling the whole truth as far as the ‘research and innovation’ is concerned. If they put as much effort into actually doing the research and turning it into viable products as they do advertising their pitiful excuse for R&D, we would be years beyond where we are now.”
“An independent assessment entity with a ranking and award system similar to the Malcolm Baldrige Quality Awards.”
“Cutting back waste is the best contribution industry can make. Becoming more efficient in the use of what you have saves everything. Industry needs to lead the way in factual discussion of alternatives and what really is physically possible. I believe there needs to be a plan of development that industry should decide and promote not politicians.”
“Case studies that link sustainable projects and financial return. I know many companies do not like to share this much detailed information. However, sharing information can be used as ammunition when trying to convince the holders of the purse strings that it is a good idea. We many times can put a dollar amount on it, but there are also intangibles that are difficult to quantify.”
“The case for the ultimate economic and health benefits of adopting sustainable practices needs to be made and widely disseminated. Studies of successes and failures in adopting sustainable practices to be conducted by credible and impartial entities and disseminated widely via the Web, trade and professional journals, and the popular media (expressed appropriately for each medium). Failures need to be understood and discussed, not hidden. Maintaining credibility is crucial. Disseminate the facts, not propaganda.”
“Business exists for profit. Find ways to make the adoption of sustainable practices a profit center and widely promote those concepts. Perception is the key to the successful adoption of any fundamental change, and the perception now does not present a compelling story to drive such change.”
“Encouragement of government funding to assist manufacturers in making the capital investments needed, and in being rewarded for doing so as an added incentive. Also, assist in creating standards for all aspects of design and manufacturing related to sustainability.”
“I'd like to see the standards organizations provide as guidance the mandates that currently come from government. As the customers become more environmentally conscious, they will apply these mandates to their suppliers, and the suppliers can let market forces determine their willingness to participate.”
“Perhaps nonprofit think tank type enterprises can focus on certain industries to accomplish several useful things. First, establish reference materials that are clearly organized and searchable, that detail available best practices for existing and emerging products, methods, practices that can readily be incorporated by all. I believe that anything forced, like legislation, would be difficult to make successful. If solutions are found that make sound financial sense, industry will incorporate yesterday!”
“I think the bottom line is that the consumer has to want to buy it. Fortunately, I think the public is becoming more aware of the need for sustainable products, and there are a growing number of people who feel strongly about searching out and buying those products. Perhaps the industry could help develop a standardized guide for consumers to understand how products were made — kind of like a Consumer's Report format ... or the Nutrition Facts on food products ... or the Fair Trade certification stamp. Many of us, when given the facts, will pay extra for something that was made using sustainable materials and practices.”
“Rather than sustainable practices, I would prefer to see requirements for durability. Products which will last decades rather than months are much friendlier to the environment than even products which can be recycled, but have short life spans. If one looks at the cost of any item in basic terms it is the cost of the energy to produce and transport the item to the end user. The item itself may use energy in turn. The cost of acquisition and use become the energy cost of the item. Our goal should be to reduce the total energy consumed in the production, delivery, reclamation and use of the end item.”
“Regulation forcing companies to be accountable for the total lifecycle costs of their products or activities.”
“I feel that more incentives should be used to encourage sustainable practices. This may be in the form of tax breaks, or some other means.”
“Business incentives from governments, certifications from environmental agencies (limited membership to club), educate consumers on product price vs. environmental impacts.”
“Perhaps tax rebates offered to those who purchase green products — like tax rebates given in the 1970s to those who insulated their homes. This would encourage manufacturers to produce green products for clients so that tax rebates could be claimed. Raise taxes for those who don't comply when alternatives are available. I believe this technique might be referred to as the "carrot or stick" approach.”
“I don't know if there is anything the industry could do besides enforcing regulation. It is really up to each individual company and the customers they provide to. If the customers don't really care one way or the other then it is less likely that the company will take the first step.”
“It isn't up to industry in today's competitive foreign manufacturing environment; it's up to government to place tariffs that encourage both domestic and foreign companies to have the same requirements and make competition more equal.”
“A clearer structure of explaining the business case and costs involved to governmental bodies, so that they understand that this isn't something that can simply be forced onto the manufacturing businesses without any detrimental impact.”
“I would love to see renewable energy credits which could drive companies to invest in these technologies.”
“The industry to me is self-regulating. Producers react to what competition is doing and what the market demands without many regulations. Since I feel a large problem is with countries that follow little to no regulations. Those products could have tariff duties related to the amount of emissions and the energy used or consumed by the product versus that of products in the U.S.”
“Push for common global regulations. At the same time, leaders in each industry should act like leaders by instituting sustainable practices in their companies and industries, such that it becomes expected and/or required to do business with their company and/or industry.”
“Include sustainable practices in all industrial training. You can't add sustainability to a design at the end of the design process.”
“I would like to see industries once again design products that last. Planned/forced obsolescence is a short-sighted business model. Of course, as consumers, we need to also be willing to pay the additional price for products that last.”
“The basis for conversion to lean manufacturing is to eliminate all forms of waste. What could be better than eliminating all the waste from the factory going to the landfill. Ergo lean to green makes very good sense.”
“Openness to look beyond development and acquisition costs to include operating energy costs and the benefits from reduced carbon emissions, elimination of hazardous wastes as well as costs associated both in employees and in material handling, and also to lobby for legislation that will encourage sustainable practices through tax incentives, carbon trading, etc.”
“Accounting systems need to begin recognizing total costs of manufacturing systems. A process that produces a waste stream may add overhead, but that cost does not generally get applied to the cost of the item creating the cost. Similarly we don't have a way to sell the cost savings in lower packaging and eventual product disposal to the customer.”
“I believe one way to be more globally responsible would be to stop sending work overseas. This does not directly answer the question, but if companies go overseas for cheaper manufacturing due to lower standards and environmental requirements. They are only promoting in part non-sustainable practices. Either bring them back to the U.S. or lobby with foreign governments to improve work conditions and regulations.”
“First, education is very important. The general view that green technology is cost-prohibitive may be true in some areas, but not in many. We as the designers and engineers need to know what technology is out there, how it can be applied, and what the costs and savings are. We also need to have education and training on what practices can be implemented in our designs to make the design more sustainable. Second, the industry can work on developing their processes to bring the cost of green technology down. The high capital cost of many green technologies, especially in North America, means the payoff in energy savings is generally outside the 2-3 year window most companies look at.” | 
