Impact On The Environment Flashcards
What is continuous improvement ?
The practice of continually making small adjustments to production techniques to improve speed and quality and save resources
What is the Japanese name for continuous improvement ?
‘Kaizen’
It encourages people to work together and give regular feedback to make small improvements
It can increase productivity and create team harmony as app member contribute
Why so efficient working important to companies ?
So they can increase speed of production, reduce errors and reduce waste which can be done through automation or CAM
What does implementing quality control ensure ?
Errors are quickly spotted and provides the customer with reassurance
How is pollution caused ?
When harmful substances are released into the natural environment
It can effect the water, air and land
What can be done to stop climate change and what is one example ?
Legislation
UK cosmetic products can no longer contain plastic micro beads
How should harrimous products be disposed ?
Correctly and companies should be encouraged by government incentives to recycle waste
How can factories help the environment ?
- avoid suing chemicals which are bad for the environments like CFC’s
- avoid wasting materials
- make products that can be recycled
- design products with easy to change parts
How can consumers help the environment ?
- buying fewer parts
- mending your existing products and recycling where possible
- being aware of the environmental footprint of your product and choosing the least damaging
What was worldwide environmental awareness lead to ?
Limitations on the levels of pull iron and emmisons of green house gassed
What has cut down energy costs ?
Energy efficient products
Such as low energy light bulbs and better insulation for buildings
What is product lifecycle ?
The four stages a product goes through in a market- launch, growth, maturity and decline
What does keeping a record of sales over time do ?
- ensures money, materials and energy are not wasted when the product has stopped selling
- this reduces potential environmental impact
What is the introduction ?
The most expensive stage for a company due to paying for a new product to be advertised and launched whilst sales are low
What is the growth ?
If promotion for the product is a success then sales will increase as the product become popular
What is maturity ?
A competitive time for the company as their product has reached out to all customers and is becoming well known
If there is continued competition as newer products are being released the company will need to keep sales of their product high through increased marketing
What is the decline ?
Product sales decrease as new competitive products come to the market or everyone who needs it has already purchased it
Some toothbrushes are disposable, explain what this is called ?
Planned to obsolescence
What are Fad products ?
- They are products that get introduced to the market and sell rapidly for a short period of time
- Fads will have a rapid rise is ales followed by a small time period of development and improvement then a rapid fall in sales
When might an entrepreneur invest in a Fad product ?
Before the initial rise is sales as they can then make large amounts of profit
