Cleaner production in SMEs through a partnership with (local) authorities: successes from the Netherlands

Abstract

The contribution of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to total industrial production and their dominance in some sectors indicate that their contribution to total industrial environmental impact is considerable. This paper therefore focuses on pollution prevention by SMEs and on the ways in which local authorities can become a strategic partner in this process. The paper consists of a theoretical part and two practical case studies. In the first part general characteristics of SMEs in the Netherlands are discussed, including their environmental impact, their motivation for cleaner production activities and the barriers they encounter. In addition, the role of local authorities as natural partners in environmental matters concerning SMEs is presented. With their licensing and enforcement mandates Dutch local authorities can force companies to take prevention measures (regulating role). Thanks to this task environmental civil servants have a direct and personal contact with SMEs. Furthermore, they have an additional task to motivate companies to take prevention measures (stimulating role). The challenge is to perform both roles in a way that reinforces each other. The specific barriers local authorities encounter in this process are identified and analysed. A practical step-by-step approach helps both partners to tackle mutual barriers and successfully execute cleaner production projects. The role of local authorities in this process can vary from close involvement in the project to a more guiding role at a distance. Key success factors of this methodology are: involvement of both management and all personnel, focus on cost reduction opportunities and internalisation of environmental attention. In part two of the paper, two cases are presented. The first case describes a project in which the authorities play a guiding role, offering knowledge and support to SMEs in the plastics and rubber industry through an external consultancy agency. The second case describes a project in which environmental civil servants, assisted by specialised consultants, play an active role in the promotion of cleaner production. In this project they visit companies from the car repair branch and execute a prevention quick scan. Afterwards they advise the companies on how to proceed with pollution prevention measures. Both cases show that local authorities can indeed be a suitable partner to promote pollution prevention and cleaner production in SMEs.