Environmentally or eco-friendly manufacturing procedures protect the environment from abuse thus conserving natural resources (Mansour, Hassan & Bagheri, 2017). Products should, therefore, be manufactured from sustainable materials whereas waste materials should be reduced through the process of remanufacturing. This proposal is aimed at ensuring that shutters and drapery manufacturing companies in Phoenix Arizona adapt to environmentally safe practices thus increasing sustainability in the community.

Summary of Green Initiatives

Green initiatives in Arizona can be grouped into four phases; business, home, city, and community (Bernstein et al. 2016). Environmental development commences at home with water conservation and recycling for most residents. Water conservation is particularly essential in Arizona since there are conservation tips, irrigation workshops and other programs of water reclamation. Arizona has several green businesses and buildings, and also encourages local enterprises to promote sustainability and conservation. The residents can also develop their environmental awareness concerns and schedule for outdoor activities in the different parks that are found in Arizona. Residents in Arizona utilize transit options including light rail, bike routes, and bus, as well as other cheap and convenient services for the disabled or old, which assist in reducing air pollution in the state and the surrounding locations.

Recommendations for Creating a Greener, more Sustainable Livable Community

The State of Arizona should ensure that companies adopt green initiatives by manufacturing with sustainable materials (Darko et al. 2017). One of the recommendations is that shutters should be made from the white polar obtained from the Midwest and South. This is because the trees grow quicker than they are used and are usually harder wood as compared to the basswood. The farms should plant the trees and dry them naturally, stack and weigh them with a lot of patience without using electric kilns or oil. The shutters should also be finished with low VOC paints that are water-based because they stain with zero solvents. Finishing should be done with at the local shutter facilities and applied using paint booth and modern sprayers that do not release pollutants into the air. The companies can also utilize roller shade materials that are LEED certified.

Companies that manufacture shatters and drapers should not just utilize practices and products that are sustainable; they should also provide citizens with products which assist them in promoting sustainability. Most homes have air conditioners whereby the air gets away from the windows, leading to energy waste and insufficient cooling of homes. The shutters and drapers companies in Arizona should offer ways in which people can insulate their windows thus reducing energy usage and ultimately increase their energy savings at home. The companies should encourage the public to install Panorama solar windows which are slightly shaded thus decreasing the amount of heat emitted by half. The installation of solar windows means that the energy it saves by eliminating carbon dioxide from the environment is more than the energy required to prepare it, install, and ship in businesses and homes. Another advantage is that the solar windows can be beneficial to the community because they help in eliminating the ultraviolet rays that enter their homes. The window treatments can help reduce energy use thus saving money.

References

Bernstein, M. J., Wiek, A., Brundiers, K., Pearson, K., Minowitz, A., Kay, B., & Golub, A. (2016). Mitigating urban sprawl effects: a collaborative tree and shade intervention in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Local Environment, 21(4), 414-431.

Darko, A., Chan, A. P. C., Ameyaw, E. E., He, B. J., & Olanipekun, A. O. (2017). Examining issues influencing green building technologies adoption: The United States green building experts’ perspectives. Energy and Buildings, 144, 320-332.

Mansour, M. S., Hassan, K. H., & Bagheri, P. (2017). Shari’ah Perspective on Green Jobs and Environmental Ethics. Ethics, Policy & Environment, 20(1), 59-77.