Concept Of Cleaner Production Research Articles

Análise do sistema de gestão ambiental do laboratório de camarões marinhos da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina – UFSC

AO aumento da utilização de recursos naturais decorrente do consumismo desenvolvido durante a Revolução Industrial gerou impactos ambientais irreversíveis que, após as décadas de 1960 e 1970, deram início a uma crescente preocupação ambiental. A partir da década de 1990 destacaram-se as iniciativas empresariais, governamentais e não governamentais buscando uma melhor relação do ser humano com o meio ambiente. Neste contexto, eleva-se a importância dos conceitos de Gestão Ambiental e Produção mais Limpa. E é com o intuito de esclarecer a forma como esses processos ocorrem nas organizações que se pesquisou, neste trabalho, a gestão ambiental do Laboratório de Camarões Marinhos – LCM, da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Verificou-se a importância da disseminação dos conhecimentos sobre os processos dentro das organizações e indicou-se a responsabilidade da Universidade na gestão ambiental do laboratório.

Cleaner energy for sustainable future

This special issue of the Journal of Cleaner Production focuses on “Energy for Sustainable Future”. It is designed to mirror the increasing relevance of renewable energy sources and improved efficiency as crucial topics for practitioners in industry, for governmental policy makers, as well as for civic service providers, researchers, and educators. The purpose of this special issue is to serve as a catalyst for dialogue. The global warming related to CO 2 emissions, coupled with steeply rising energy prices and the recent global financial institutional melt-down are causing massive societal concerns and give rise to increasing demand for ways to improve societal and individual energy efficiency and for ways to shift increasingly to alternative, low or non-carbon based energy systems. Until recently, industrial energy efficiency improvements have focused on improvements on efficiency rather than on the integration of renewable sources. The aim of this special issue is the identification of policies to support the development and implementation of technologies and management approaches we can employ to make the transition to more sustainable societies. The collection of papers in this special issue provide a foundation for students, researchers, scholars, practitioners and policy makers interested in making sustainable development more than a metaphor. The papers include focus upon ways for: (a) Improving industrial process to achieve improvements in energy efficiency. (b) Minimising waste disposals and reducing their impact through better management. (c) Reducing CO 2 emissions by making progress toward lower carbon, renewable energy based systems, (d) Improving production of biofuels and hydrogen production systems, facilitated by employing cleaner production and novel LCA tools. (e) Improving integration of advanced materials and energy efficient equipment in different industrial sectors. Current and future developments in national and world economies are closely connected to sustainable, efficient and safe usage of raw materials and upon energy based on cleaner production concepts and approaches that are ecologically and economically appropriate for the short and for the long-term future of society. These challenges have received considerable attention in the media and scientific journals over the last several years. The idea of developing a specialised conference focussed upon them was put forward on various occasions. Focus upon them became reality on the 5th and 6th May 2008 in the historic Castle of Veszprém, Hungary, the current premises of the Hungarian Academy of Science which hosted the Workshop. The Workshop was a stimulating event and an overwhelming success, with nearly 100 contributors from Africa, North America, Asia and Europe, representing 28 countries. After a comprehensive selection and thorough reviewing procedure 11 papers were selected for this special issue.

Introduction of the CP concept in a Factory for the production of welding electrodes Piva, Pluzine

The new concept of Cleaner Production (CP) was recently introduced in the Factory for the production of welding electrodes (FEP) in Pluzine, by following some activities, raw materials and products. By the identification of some sub-processes with CP opportunities, focus points were identified and subjected to some technical modifications and innovations. The most significant results were obtained regarding waste waters, through the modifications of existing waste water generation and a possible switch to an other technology, the reduction of K-silica waste through a technological modification, a system of powder transport, as well as the production of coated electrodes.

A Multiple-Objective Environmental Rationalization and Optimization for Material Substitution in the Production of Stone-Washed Jeans- Garments

� Abstract—As the Textile Industry is the second largest industry in Egypt and as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) make up a great portion of this industry therein it is essential to apply the concept of Cleaner Production for the purpose of reducing pollution. In order to achieve this goal, a case study concerned with eco- friendly stone-washing of jeans-garments was investigated. A raw material-substitution option was adopted whereby the toxic potassium permanganate and sodium sulfide were replaced by the environmentally compatible hydrogen peroxide and glucose respectively where the concentrations of both replaced chemicals together with the operating time were optimized. In addition, a process-rationalization option involving four additional processes was investigated. By means of criteria such as product quality, effluent analysis, mass and heat balance; and cost analysis with the aid of a statistical model, a process optimization treatment revealed that the superior process optima were 50%, 0.15% and 50min for H2O2 concentration, glucose concentration and time, respectively. With these values the superior process ought to reduce the annual cost by about EGP 10 5 relative to the currently used conventional method.

Desenvolvimento Sustentável com Ênfase na Produção Limpa: Estudo Sobre as Construtoras de Maringá

This work had, as a point of departure, earlier conducted surveys that the main objective was to understand the new concept of sustainable development into production. Since the beginning the researches followed the design of field research, with the application of questionnaires to companies engaged in construction in the city of Maringa. This questionnaire was to identify if the companies address the Clean Production in its constructive process, and if they do, what are the real reasons. If the answer was contrary what were the reasons for that choice. This article works with the concept of clean production as an effective way to minimize the waste of raw materials, inputs and auxiliaries used in construction, industry which is known for its high rate of waste. It was found through information by the questionnaire that most engineers knew the existence of the term and concept of clean production, but none of those interviewed said that use that methodology in construction. The main reason pointed from the interviewed was the lack of knowledge about the importance of that concept in the construction process. In addition, the engineers highlighted the need of support for purchasing recycled materials or tools options that could help them. The survey showed the tendency for the use of supported clean production, as engineers recognize the importance of beginning to address some ways of clean production in the construction process, but they believe that this concept will only be into circulation at the beginning of the support. They also emphasized the importance of outsourcing, or even partnerships with companies aiming the recycling in order to avoid the waste during the construction process.

Renewable Energy: technology, economics and environment

The heaps of solid waste found along the streets of major cities in Nigeria are worrisome. Apart from aesthetic considerations, the waste heaps serve as breeding grounds for disease carriers like rodents and flies. This work looks at the functional elements in an ISWM (integrated solid waste management). A three-way approach for successful handling of the problem is suggested. Problems identified include inadequate enforcement of existing legislations, poor funding, lack of private participation, and poor facilities for proper waste management. The integrated model proposed emphasizes proper policy formulation as a preventive tool to waste generation, reuse and recycling of waste, decentralization and private sector participation in waste management activities, as well as reorientation of all stakeholders in the sector. With proper implementation by the federal and state governments, the aims for a hazard-free environment will be realized. The government was advised to introduce the concept of cleaner production and its benefits to industries.

Designing an integrated framework for solid waste management in Nigeria

The heaps of solid waste found along the streets of major cities in Nigeria are worrisome. Apart from aesthetic considerations, the waste heaps serve as breeding grounds for disease carriers like rodents and flies. This work looks at the functional elements in an ISWM (integrated solid waste management). A three-way approach for successful handling of the problem is suggested. Problems identified include inadequate enforcement of existing legislations, poor funding, lack of private participation, and poor facilities for proper waste management. The integrated model proposed emphasizes proper policy formulation as a preventive tool to waste generation, reuse and recycling of waste, decentralization and private sector participation in waste management activities, as well as reorientation of all stakeholders in the sector. With proper implementation by the federal and state governments, the aims for a hazard-free environment will be realized. The government was advised to introduce the concept of cleaner production and its benefits to industries.

Cleaner production opportunity assessment study in SEKA Balikesir pulp and paper mill

This study was designed to apply cleaner production concepts in a Turkish pulp and paper mill, for the first time in Turkey, to introduce the concept as well as to provide a framework for future initiatives. To achieve this objective a comprehensive waste reduction audit was conducted at SEKA Balikesir pulp and paper mill. First, audit schemes from different sources were examined and compiled that resulted in the methodology employed in this work. The audit covered water emissions and water usage. Then, the collected data were compared with international environmental performance indicators from other companies in the USA, Canada, Australia, and Europe. This comparison provided specific opportunities for improvement at different processes in the mill. For each viable opportunity, different waste reduction measures were analyzed and determined. Furthermore, the benefits of the identified waste reduction options were analyzed for increasing production efficiency and achieving target raw effluent pollution loads from the mill.

Cleaner production opportunity assessment for a milk processing facility

Possible cleaner production (CP) opportunities for a milk processing facility were examined in this study. The CP concept and its key tools of implementation were used to assess the potential CP opportunities in the facility studied. The general production process and its resulting environmental loads were investigated by taking possible CP opportunities as the basis of study. The methodology developed for CP opportunity assessment in the milk processing facility covered two major steps: preparation of checklists to assist auditing and CP opportunity assessment, and implementation of the mass-balance analysis. For mass-balance analysis, measurements and experimental analysis of the mass flows were utilized to determine the inputs and outputs. Prepared checklists were utilized to determine waste reduction options that could be implemented. Selected opportunities were evaluated considering their environmental benefits and economic feasibility. The results of the study indicated that 50% of the service water used, 9.3% of the current wastewater (WW) discharge, 65.36% of the chemical use and the discharge of 181.9 kg/day of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and 20.7 kg/day of total suspended solids (TSS) could be eliminated and 19.6% of the service water used could be recycled/reused.

Cleaner production: an economical option for ISO certification in developing countries

Since its conception in early 1990s, cleaner production has helped thousands of businesses around the world in improving environmental performance and reducing risks to their staff. Developing countries, due to their economic, social and cultural limitations are slow to adapt to new ideas. Stresses of WTO and ISO certification are hitting the developing economies hard especially the export businesses. This article re-introduces the concept of cleaner production as a self-help tool as well as an economical pathway towards ISO certification. The objective is to motivate businesses anywhere to join the sustainable development trail. A simple step-by-step procedure to develop a cleaner production program is delineated. Cleaner production opportunities and how their exploration will lead to covering many requirements of the ISO14001:2004 certification is discussed. Cleaner production opportunities in the most common automotive industry are presented along with five case studies from Australia. Special attention is given to energy efficiency. A full section is devoted to equipment-specific cleaner production opportunities.

Wdrażanie systemów zarządzania środowiskowego jako narzędzie proinnowacyjnego rozwoju polskich przedsiębiorstw na rynku Unii Europejskiej

The treatment of environment as a part of economy led to foundation of an economical model, which destroys its natural system. The pro-ecological economy of the future enquires new attitudes, new paradigm; it requires as well relation change. The best way to improve the relation between the environment and companies is permanent seeking for innovation solutions. Economical rules should encourage to innovative but also pro-ecological solutions. EU-concept of creation of ecological environs and pro-innovative concept of clean production deserves for particular attention. The efficient management with environment contributes to enhancement of environmental stand as well as to the rise of enterprise profits. The integrated system is supposed to decide in favor of presence of a firm on the EU market.

Wdrażanie systemów zarządzania środowiskowego jako narzędzie proinnowacyjnego rozwoju polskich przedsiębiorstw na rynku Unii Europejskiej

he treatment of environment as a part of economy led to foundation of an economical model, which destroys its natural system. The pro-ecological economy of the future enquires new attitudes, new paradigm; it requires as well relation change. The best way to improve the relation between the environment and companies is permanent seeking for innovation solutions. Economical rules should encourage to innovative but also pro-ecological solutions. EU-concept of creation of ecological environs and pro-innovative concept of clean production deserves for particular attention. The efficient management with environment contributes to enhancement of environmental stand as well as to the rise of enterprise profits. The integrated system is supposed to decide in favor of presence of a firm on the EU market.

Encouraging industry to assess and implement cleaner production measures

Cleaner production stakeholders have a strong desire for industry to consider cleaner production opportunities in their facilities and once they are assessed, to follow through on their implementation. This paper examines local and international initiatives within the Canadian stakeholder community (including government, NGOs, consultants, industry) that contribute to the initiation and implementation of cleaner production in industry. Specifically, stakeholders have consciously drafted regulatory compliance, education, co-funding incentives, and development-based cleaner production programs. As illustrated by case studies from six industries, the programs work together to create a climate favorable for implementation of cleaner production concepts and approaches. Based on the cleaner production drivers and barriers identified by research, the programs are well designed. However, as with cleaner production itself, there is always room for further improvement. Specifically: (i) regulatory compliance programs and timetables should leave room for cleaner production (versus end-of-pipe) approaches; (ii) cleaner production co-funding programs should target small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) and require them to use a multimedia approach (air, water, waste); (iii) education programs should incorporate demonstration assessments, feasibility assessments of common recommendations, and follow-up communication to foster implementation and continuous improvement; and (iv) mandated cleaner production should include absolute (i.e. waste/tonne production) rather than relative standards (i.e. X% reduction from status quo) in order to avoid penalizing historically proactive corporations.

Studies on Barriers for Promotion of Clean Technology in SMEs of China

Abstract After more than 10 years efforts on awareness raising and promotion, the concept of cleaner production (CP) has been adopting as a strategic approach to balance economic benefits and environmental protection for China's industries. However, it is also found that clean technology is difficult to be adopted and implemented in Chinese Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) because of certain barriers. This paper investigates these barriers among three stakeholders—governments, enterprises and experts. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was employed to prioritize the relative importance of the twenty fine-selected barriers, which were classified into four barrier categories. The findings reveal that the exterior barriers of policy and financial barriers should be stressed rather than the inner barriers of technical and managerial barriers, although they are also very important. Absence of incentives on economic policies, lax enforcement of environmental regulations and high initial capital cost were the most important barriers to adoption of Clean Technologies (CT) in China.

Environmental Benefits: Clean and Conducive Production

After a brief description of the concept of clean production, its commonalities with the concept of conducive production (discussed in the first article of this issue) are outlined. By integrating clean production goals into the conducive economy, a healthier environment can be realized along with healthier workplaces and a healthier economy.

Cleaner production and sustainability

This paper describes the Norwegian method for Cleaner Production (CP) as well as results and experiences from its use over more than 12 years. Quantifiable results in terms of reduced wastes and emissions and improved material and energy efficiencies have been documented by many authors. Many countries as a strategy for improving environmental performance have also adopted the CP concept. This paper focuses on the intangible benefits and human factors derived from CP projects, how the present CP model may be improved and present ideas on how the CP concept can be expanded to more directly address the needs of developing countries. Improvements to the present CP model should include means for ensuring sustainability of the local CP centre and its activities and financial mechanisms to facilitate affordable environmental investments. The expansion of the basic CP concept should include modules that more directly address the challenges of creating job opportunities, eradicating poverty, protecting public health and improving safety. CP should no longer be viewed as a stand-alone option but be integrated in all business development activities to improve quality of life. The authors also encourage the development of a holistic view to include “greening of the supply chain”, recycling of materials and applying an LCA philosophy in product development. To speed up the adaptation of CP in the many very small enterprises that exist, an integrated approach to quality systems, CP and environmental management systems is proposed. Some of these ideas were recently implemented in the planning of a CP programme in Uganda. CP as a stand-alone option will not create a sustainable society, but expanding the concept in a similar fashion to that proposed in this article, is believed to be an important step in the right direction, provided that sufficient funding is available over an extended period.

A Case Study of Cleaner Production Opportunities in Small and Medium Enterprises on the Island of Mauritius

Small Islands Developing States provide a special case in development, largely due to special characteristics of their natural, economic and social environment. Understanding and implementing strategies for sustainable development become critical issues for islanders. The island of Mauritius has evolved from an agricultural to a semi-industrialized country over the past three decades. Small- and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs) play a vital role in the economic development of the island but they also contribute significantly towards overall industrial pollution. Large-scale industries produce more pollution than SMEs but because of their preferential access to capital investment and to new technologies, it is comparatively easier and more economical for them to control their pollution. In the case of SMEs a number of factors hinder them from the planning and implementation of pollution control actions. These factors include: lack of access to resources allowing for investments in pollution control, low level of technology, lack of space, non-availability of trained personnel, and the unwillingness of management to invest in environmental protection. The environmental management approach adopted by large-scale industries and SMEs differ considerably. The aim of this research was to highlight these differences through case studies of a large-scale industry (brewery) and a small-scale industry (tannery). The author carried out waste audits to identify cleaner production opportunities. Emissions could be effectively controlled by a combination of Cleaner Production (CP) and pollution control options. Most of the opportunities are not pursued by the factories because of a lack of skills on how to build cleaner production projects, lack of top management commitment, lack of time, and lack of allocation of responsibilities for project conception and engineering. This article concludes with recommendations for a national strategy for the implementation of the Cleaner Production concept in SMEs. The island of Mauritius lies in the Indian Ocean at about 800 km to the east of Madagascar (see Map 1). It is 1865 km2 in area and volcanic in origin. As of December 2001, the population was estimated at 1.2 million. Mauritius is the sixth most densely populated country in the world, and it has one of the lowest cropland per capita ratios. In less than three decades, Mauritius has changed from a poor developing country with uncontrolled population growth, high infant mortality, and declining or stagnant growth per capita income, to a rapidly industrializing country. Small islands like Mauritius provide a special case in development, largely due to the special characteristics of their natural, economic, and social environment. Understanding and implementing strategies for sustainable development become critical issues for islanders. Over the past 15 years, Mauritius has achieved an 5-6% annual growth in the economy and steady growth in per capita income. During this time the economy has diversified from being dominated by sugarcane to a mixture of industry, agriculture, tourism, and financial services. This change is associated with a greater demand for resources, greater consumption of products, and increased volume of wastes. It is estimated that there are approximately 5,000 industrial enterprises in Mauritius (National Environmental Strategies, 1999). Of these, some 900 employ 10 or more persons and are referred to as large-scale, employing a total of over 100,000 people. The small and medium scale manufacturing establishments employ somewhere between 14,000-15,000 people. Most of the large industries in Mauritius are well organised and structured and are sometimes backed up by internationally reputable mother companies. On the other hand, SMEs in Mauritius are mostly family owned or owned by a small group of shareholders. The environmental management approaches adopted by these two types of industries differ considerably. …

Impact of the ASEAN Environmental Improvement Project (ASEAN-EIP) on the adoption of waste minimization practices in the Philippines

An assessment was made in 1999 by a team of consultants to the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) of the effectiveness in promoting waste minimization (WM) practices of the plant site assessments made in the Philippines by the Association of South East Asian Nations—Environmental Improvement Project (ASEAN-EIP). This program had been funded in 1992 by the US Agency for International Development to promote an expanded concept of WM, similar to current concepts of cleaner production (CP). From 1992 until 1996 the ASEAN-EIP conducted detailed in-plant assessments in five countries of Southeast Asia. The UNIDO assessment of the impact of that work addressed the results of six such plant assessments carried out by ASEAN-EIP in 1995 in three paper mills and three cement plants in the Philippines, and sought to learn how the information resulting from those assessments had propagated through the industry sectors concerned.

An assessment of the design and effectiveness of the ASEAN Environmental Improvement Program

The ASEAN Environmental Improvement Program (ASEAN-EIP) was funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in 1992 and ran for four years at a cost of US$ 15 million. The program operated in the (then) six member nations of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN): Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and the Philippines. The program approach was similar to present concepts of cleaner production (CP), addressing the total production process and its upstream and downstream consequences, attempting to mitigate these through more efficient process use of inputs, better management processes and continual improvement. The program design was complex, with inter-linking actions in areas including technology and management demonstration, policy development and regional rationalization, institution building, information networking, technology transfer and trade promotion. ASEAN-EIP probably had a significant impact on furthering the adoption of CP in the ASEAN region, but it probably also fell substantially short of its potential. The program did not operate within any existing national policy frameworks and strategies for the achievement of CP and was unable to establish such. Program resources were stretched too thin, across too many countries and issues, and insufficient resources were available in any one country to make it important to the government to engage in a dialog on sensitive issues such as national policy and strategy for CP. However, the ASEAN-EIP was advanced for its time for programs to promote waste minimization (WM) and CP, considering aspects of change that had not been seriously addressed before and attempting to resolve a wide range of issues in a single integrated program.

Industrial water demand management and cleaner production potential: a case of three industries in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

The combination of water demand management and cleaner production concepts have resulted in both economical and ecological benefits. The biggest challenge for developing countries is how to retrofit the industrial processes, which at times are based on obsolete technology, within financial, institutional and legal constraints. Processes in closed circuits can reduce water intake substantially and minimise resource input and the subsequent waste thereby reducing pollution of finite fresh water resources. Three industries were studied in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe to identify potential opportunities for reducing water intake and material usage and minimising waste. The industries comprised of a wire galvanising company, soft drink manufacturing and sugar refining industry. The results show that the wire galvanising industry could save up to 17% of water by recycling hot quench water through a cooling system. The industry can eliminate by substitution the use of toxic materials, namely lead and ammonium chloride and reduce the use of hydrochloric acid by half through using an induction heating chamber instead of lead during the annealing step. For the soft drink manufacturing industry water intake could be reduced by 5% through recycling filter-backwash water via the water treatment plant. Use of the pig system could save approximately 12 m 3/month of syrup and help reduce trade effluent fees by Z$30/m 3 of “soft drink”. Use of a heat exchanger system in the sugar refining industry can reduce water intake by approximately 57 m 3/100 t “raw sugar” effluent volume by about 28 m 3/100 t “raw sugar”. The water charges would effectively be reduced by 52% and trade effluent fees by Z$3384/100 t “raw sugar” (57%). Proper equipment selection, equipment modification and good house-keeping procedures could further help industries reduce water intake and minimise waste.