Green Fever

Erin Whitehead

April 2, 2008 • Every time I turn on the radio, scan online news sites or open my inbox, it seems that there is a clip, story or email about environmental issues, greenhouse gases or fuel efficiency. Even movies about the environment and global warming have become blockbusters. While some still believe that global warming is a myth, it definitely doesn't hurt to try to lessen our impact on the environment. After all, we only have one Earth. Why not try to conserve it for future generations?

I've always been vaguely interested in and concerned about the environment, but in the past couple of years, I've become more conscious of my actions. Moving to California last year made it easier to be environmentally conscious. Recycling bins are almost always stationed next to trash cans; our apartment complex has separate bins for recycling, so all I have to do is separate and toss, rather than drive myself to the nearest recycling center. So what if I have three containers for garbage? I'm saving the world. Gas may also be $3.75 a gallon out here, but I work from home, which automatically decreases my carbon emissions and helps cut down on my trips to the pump. I even bought some of those new-fangled energy-efficient light bulbs.

 

Green thinking seems to be taking over the world. Even Lift and Access' upcoming May-June issue will focus on green machines, green technology, and green products. If all goes as planned, it will even be printed on recycled paper. While walking around ConExpo last month, I asked various manufacturers whether they were thinking about making their equipment more environmentally friendly. I found that while their customers may not be demanding “green everything” quite yet, most manufacturers are feeling the pressure to be environmentally conscious and are trying to stay ahead of the curve.

 

Major manufacturers and components companies alike are incorporating these philosophies into their products. Iowa Mold Tooling has introduced fleet management software, which allows customers to have an overview of the equipment in a fleet. Knowing where equipment is in real time allows equipment owners to send the nearest available service truck to a location. Not only does it increase customer satisfaction, but it saves money in fuel costs. Manitou, in addition to making the transition to Tier 3 engines, has taken steps to implement recycling programs in its manufacturing facilities and even uses recycled paper in its printers. John Deere Power Systems recently approved the use of certain biofuels with its engines, and Dakota Shine's product is made of agricultural by-products for a product that is safe on the environment.

 

Donaldson Company, a provider of air and liquid filtration systems and replacement parts, introduced several new products at the trade show, including its PowerCore G2 filtration system, with an environmentally friendly design with compact, metal-free, cartridge-style design that traps contaminants inside the structure. Its Spiracle™ crankcase filtration technology is aimed at reducing emissions. Many makers of hydraulic oils are also introducing more environmentally friendly biofuels, which are cleaner burning and are meant to lessen the environmental impact of their products.

 

Green will remain a big issue for the foreseeable future, and companies are all taking little steps that add up to make a difference. Keep your eyes peeled for our Green Issue. And who knows, maybe one day every issue will be a green issue, packed with products that do their jobs while also leaving minimal environmental impact. Until then, do your part: Support companies making an environmental effort and buy some of those crazy light bulbs.