When we hear “materials”, we need to think “energy and water” too — for business & communities

We might say “materials” but usually that really means materials, made with or relying on energy and water — because these resources are often interconnected and interdependent in industrial, commercial, and everyday contexts.

For example, many manufacturing processes require not only materials such as metals, plastics, and textiles, but also energy in the form of electricity, natural gas, or fuel, to power machines and equipment, not to mention water for cooling, cleaning, or chemical reactions.

In the context of sustainability and environmental management, the term “materials” can be used as a shorthand to refer to the wider set of resources used in the production and consumption of goods and services, including natural resources, energy, and water.

By focusing on the full life cycle analysis of a product, from extraction of raw materials to disposal or recycling, we can better understand the environmental impacts and opportunities for improvement at each stage.

Therefore, when we talk about materials in a sustainability or resource efficiency context at EnergyEvolutions, we often include energy and water, as they are critical components of many industrial processes and have significant environmental and economic impacts.

By taking a more holistic approach to resource management, we can identify ways to reduce “waste,” optimize resource use, and create more sustainable and resilient systems.

#sustainable #materials #water #energy