Carbon Neutral Manufacturing And Benefits

Pure and Gentle Soap produces several green products, such as private label soaps and eco-friendly cleaners, using carbon neutral manufacturing.

What is "carbon-neutral"? What does it mean, and what are the benefits?

The phrase “carbon-neutral” is a fairly common one political news lately. We've all seen commercials or heard news about offsetting our carbon footprint. But "carbon footprint" applies to manufacturing and businesses, too! Anytime a measurable amount of greenhouse gas, like carbon dioxide, is released during manufacturing, it must be matched or balanced with the same amount of carbon credits. If the two amounts are the same, the manufacturing process is "carbon neutral."

Carbon Credits

Credits must be obtained, purchased, and those funds can be used to help the recovery of greenhouse gasses elsewhere. Usually one credit will equal one ton of CO2 equivalent. As this is a cost to the business, it also serves as a monetary reminder to the business to lower the emissions it creates, thus lowering the amount spent on carbon credits.

Other benefits

While the benefits to the environment from this concept are clear, there are also benefits to the company engaged in carbon-neutral manufacturing. Being able to state that products are made with net-zero carbon emissions is a valuable marketing tool, since studies show that many consumers are likely to favor a carbon-neutral product over a similarly priced, non-neutral competitor.

Also, in seeking to lower their carbon footprint, many companies have found that they have more efficient alternatives. A company that would usually rack up lots of air miles through regular business trips for meetings could switch to video conferencing, thus saving both time and money. Actions like this can lower the net carbon cost of their entire process. It takes some serious thinking, strategy and a bit of re-working, but the benefits are clear!

Here's a tool offered by the EPA, to help determine your office carbon footprint: http://www.epa.gov/osw/partnerships/wastewise/carboncalc.htm

By: Candice Blount

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For over 20 years Pure and Gentle Soap has been producing non-toxic cleaning products and eco friendly soaps. PGI is committed to the environment by formulating 100% biodegradable, dye and phosphate free products, with no animal testing.