“We have learned the inherent limitations of

treating and burning wastes. A problem solved in

one part of the environment may become a new

problem in another part. We must curtail

pollution closer to its origin so that it is not

transferred from place to place.”

William Reillyformer U.S. EPA Administrator

Cleaner Production/Pollution Prevention

• Limitation of the technology in use• Type and quality of raw material used• Type of product specification• Poor housekeeping and maintenance• Human error

Most technologies generate much larger quantity of waste than corresponding stoichiometric (thermodynamic) values

Why?

Potential for minimizing waste

A

waste

INPUT OUTPUT

A OUTPUTINPUT

w

Cleaner ProductionCreative/Innovative inputs

1. POLLUTION PREVENTION

The terms Cleaner Production and pollution prevention are often used interchangeably.

Environment Canada , US Environment Protection Agency (EPA) used in North America

the use of processes, practices, materials, products or energy that avoid or minimise the creation of pollutants and waste, and reduce the overall risk to human health or the environment.

source reduction - preventing or reducing waste where it originates, at the source - including practices that conserve natural resources by reducing or eliminating pollutants through increased efficiency in the use of raw materials, energy, water and land.

P2 & 3M cases

3M

One of the 30 companies in the Dow Jones IndexWorldwide Sales: $21.1BR&D Expenditure: $ 1.3BNo. of Researchers: 6,500No. of Patents: 487Employees: 69,000 worldwide in 60 countriesTechnologies Adhesives Abrasives Light Management Nanotechnology Non-woven Materials Surface Modification

could never achieve goals through treatmentmoves wastes from one media to anotherSolution!• Adopt 3Ps: Pollution Prevention Pays• Prevent Pollution at the source• Develop products with minimal environmental impact• Conserve natural resources through reuse,reclamation etc.• Meet all Federal, Provincial and Local regulations

HOW?In place of waste treatment & disposal 3M looks at:

1. Process modifications

2. Recycling

3. Reclamation

4. Augmenting efficiencies

5. Environmental Engineers assigned to business unit facilities to assist

in 3P implementation

6. Award employees who identify ways to prevent waste generation and

recover and recycle materials

7. Hold internal meetings and conferences to exchange P2 ideas

8. Invest in P2 R&D for 3M and use it as a business asset as intellectual

property to be offered to others

RESULTS?

1.20% cut in energy consumption

2.50% cut in waste generation

3.90% cut of pollutants released to environment

4.Prevent the generation of 2.5b lbs of pollution

5.$950 million in savings from lower energy, material,

and waste treatment/disposal costs

6.Healthier and “feel good” work force

7.A “green” public perception

Interface Inc. - Carpet

Interface is the worldwide leader in design, productionand sales of modular carpet

Headquartered in Atlanta, Interface has manufacturinglocations on four continents and offices in more than100 countries.

In business for over 30 years, Interface is a leader inindustrial ecology, with the vision of becoming theworld's first environmentally restorative company by2020.

How?1.Eliminate Waste: All forms of waste in every area of business;

2.Benign Emissions: Eliminating toxic substances from products,

3.vehicles and facilities;

4.Renewable Energy: Operating facilities with renewable energy–

5.solar, wind, landfill gas, biomass and hydroelectric;

6.Closing the Loop: Redesigning processes and products using

7.recovered and bio-based materials;

8.Resource-Efficient Transportation: Transporting people and

9.products efficiently to reduce waste and emissions;

10.Sensitizing Stakeholders: Creating a culture that integrates

11.sustainability principles and improves people’s lives;

12.Redesign Commerce: Creating a new business model that

13.demonstrates and supports sustainability-based commerce;

Interface - ResultsThe ReEntry program diverted 85 million pounds ofmaterial from landfill between 1995 and 2005. In2005, 18 million pounds was diverted from landfilland used in recycling (71%), energy capture andconversion (28%), and repurposed (1%).