Environmentally Sustainable Processes

Abstract

Environmental sustainability has become a focus for not only academics and scientists, but it is now at the forefront for most global corporations. In this chapter we present two exemplars of that corporate thinking. Baxter International has been working for some years in reducing is environmental footprint, with great success. Coca Cola, whose products are produced and sold worldwide, is an enormous user of clean water for its many beverage products, and it has recently embarked on a series of projects aimed at water conservation. Both of these companies are good examples of what forward-thinking companies can do without losing money. But we begin this chapter with another narrative, the story of Albina Ruiz, a Peruvian who saw a need for trash collection in the capital city of Peru, Lima, a need that was not being addressed by the city. Her story illustrates what one person can do to clean up the environment and provide jobs, even in a large city such as Lima.