ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT 18CV753

MODULE -2

Environmental Management Objectives: Environmental quality objectives – Rationale of Environmental

standards: Concentration and Mass standards, Effluent and stream standards, Emission and ambient
standards, Minimum national standards, environmental performance evaluation: Indicators, benchmarking.
Pollution control Vs Pollution Prevention - Opportunities and Barriers – Cleaner production and Clean
technology, closing the loops, zero discharge technologies.

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 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT 18CV753

Environmental management
• Environmental management consists of organizing different environmental initiatives to
address various ecological issues that are affecting the globe.
• Environmental management deals with trying to prevent ecological disaster as well as aiding
in environmental crises and trying to find appropriate solutions.
• Environmental management looks at land, marine and atmospheric conditions, such as global
warming, marine-life preservation and deforestation.

Environmental management Plan

Objectives
• Identify a range of mitigation measures which could reduce and mitigate the potential
impacts to minimal or insignificant levels;
• To identify measures that could optimize beneficial impacts;
• To create management structures that address the concerns and complaints of stakeholders
with regards to the development;
• To establish a method of monitoring and auditing environmental management practices
during all phases of development;
• Ensure that the construction and operational phases of the project continues within the
principles of Integrated Environmental Management.
• Detail specific actions deemed necessary to assist in mitigating the environmental impact of
the project.
• Ensure that the safety recommendations are complied with Propose mechanisms for
monitoring compliance with the EMP and reporting thereon.
• Specify time periods within which the measures contemplated in the final environmental
management plan must be implemented, where appropriate.

of mitigation measures which could reduce and mitigate the

potential impacts to minimal or insignificant levels;

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1. BJE Process of Environmental Management Plan

Create/update environmental policy

Plan -

1. Environmental aspects
2. Legal and other requirements
3. Objectives, targets, and programs

Do -

4. Resources, responsibilities, and authority

5. Competence, training, and awareness
6. Communication
7. Documentation
8. Control of documents
9. Operational control
10. Emergency preparedness and response

Check -

11. Monitor and measure

12. Evaluate compliance
13. Nonconformity, corrective and preventive action
14. Control of records
15. Internal audits

Act -

16. Management review

17. ISO 14001 audit

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V Environmental management systems

I The environmental management system is "a system and database which integrates procedures and
processes for training of personnel, monitoring, summarizing, and reporting of specialized
environmental performance information to internal and external stakeholders of a firm.”

Overall, the advantages of using an environmental management system include:

 Ensuring a holistic approach to environmental impacts

 Focusing on only critical aspects and processes
 Making use of time-tested, mature approaches recognized worldwide
 Establishing pos
 itive relationships with regulators

Economic benefits of implementing an environmental management system or good environmental

stewardship that an organization can expect are four significant economic benefits:

1. Corporate reputation and image

2. Lower environmentally related costs and fees
3. Increased access to new customers
4. Direct savings through environmental source reduction

In addition to the obvious quantifiable benefits in reductions in pollutant emissions and waste, there
are three approaches to measuring improvements within an organization:

 Management system improvement—qualitative and quantitative improvements to

management support processes, such as employee training and awareness, compliance assurance
processes or corrective/preventative action programs
 Organizational reputation—unquantifiable improvements in an organization’s reputation or
improved relations with regulatory bodies, community organizations, or other interested parties

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 Financial benefits—quantitative cost savings or cost avoidance associated with any of the
improvements
The operational components of an ISO 14001 EMS can be grouped as follows O
Create/update environmental policy.
1.Monitor and measure.
2.Evaluate compliance.
3. Nonconformity, corrective and preventive action.
4.Control of records.
5. Internal audits.

Environmental quality Objectives

• Environmental quality is a general term which can refer to varied characteristics such as air
and water purity or pollution, noise, access to open space, and the visual effects of buildings, and
the potential effects which such characteristics may have on physical and mental health (caused by
human activities).

C The 15 environmental quality objectives:

• 1.Reduced Climate Impact
• 2. Clean Air
• 3.Natural Acidification Only
• 4. A Non-Toxic Environment
• 5. A Protective Ozone Layer
• 6.A Safe Radiation Environment
• 7.Zero Eutrophication.
8. Flourishing Lakes and Streams.
• 9. Good-Quality Groundwater.
• 10. A Balanced Marine Environment, Flourishing Coastal Areas and Archipelagos.
• 11. Thriving Wetlands.
• 12. Sustainable Forests
• 13. Varied Agricultural Lands
• 14. A Magnificent Mountain Landscape
• 15. A Good Built Environment.
ES
development;

Reduced Climate Impact

Reduced Climate Impact The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change provides for the
stabilization of concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere at levels which ensure that

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human activities do not have a harmful impact on the climate system. This goal must be achieved in
such a way and at such a pace that biological diversity is preserved, food production is assured and
other goals of sustainable development are not jeopardized. All countries, must assume
responsibility for achieving this global objective.

Emissions are to be calculated as carbon dioxide equivalents and are to include the six greenhouse
gases listed in the Kyoto Protocol and defined by the IPCC. In assessing progress towards the target,
no allowance is to be made for uptake by carbon sinks or for flexible mechanisms.

All countries must work internationally to promote efforts to achieve this objective. By 2050 total
annual emissions must be lower than 4.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalents per capita,
with further decreases thereafter. Fulfilment of this target is crucially dependent on international
cooperation and action by all countries. Checkpoints have to be introduced. Evaluations of the first
checkpoint should be presented.

IVES

Clean Air Identify a range of mitigation measures which could

The air must be clean enough not to represent a risk to health or to animals, plants or cultural assets. Particles,
ground-level ozone and nitrogen oxides (NOx) cause many different types of problems and illnesses. Meeting
the targets for nitrogen dioxide and particle reduction will require further measures. Although occurrences of
high levels of ground-level ozone have decreased somewhat in recent years, there is no indication on current
trends. Examples of measures
• A new environmental quality standard for the carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene will have to be introduced.
• Municipal councils should be able to issue directions concerning emission requirements or equivalent
regulations governing small-scale wood burning in specially designated areas.
• High priority has been given to international atmospheric pollution control.
• The sale of light, low-particle emission diesel-powered vehicles will have to be promoted.
• The Government considers that the interim target for ground-level ozone should be reviewed as a matter of
urgency in the light of new findings on the seriously detrimental health effects of this air pollutant.
• Procurement requirements for transportation services involving heavy goods vehicles and machines will be
developed with a view to encouraging the adoption of more environmentally sound technology before the
introduction of mandatory standards.

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• Consideration will be given to the introduction of new interim targets for carcinogenic substances such as

benzene and fluorathene. potential impacts to minimal o

Acidification Only in
Natural The acidifying effects of deposition and land use must not exceed the limits that can be tolerated by
soil and water. In addition, deposition of acidifying substances must not increase the rate of corrosion of
technical materials or cultural artefacts and buildings.
a. Atmospheric pollution also speeds up corrosion in metals, limestone, rubber and plaster, and damages
buildings of cultural and/or historical value, statues and ancient monuments’
High priority should be given to work in connection with atmospheric pollution control issues at
global level.
• Countries should seek to promote the reduction of sulphur concentrations in marine fuels and a reduction in
emissions of nitrogen oxides from shipping.
• Exhaust regulations governing the emission of nitrogen oxides from diesel powered vehicles should be
tightened.

• A study of the effect of raising and extending the nitrogen oxide charge should be under taken should
be identify measures that could optimize beneficial impacts;
A Non-Toxic Environment
The environment must be free from man-made or extracted compounds and metals that represent a
threat to human health or biological diversity.
Newly manufactured finished products will as far as possible be free from: - new organic substances
that are persistent and bio accumulating, new substances that are carcinogenic, mutagenic and
reprotoxic, and mercury. Other carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic substances, and endocrine
disrupting substances or highly allergenic substances, will be avoided. Already available finished
products containing substances with the properties listed above, or mercury, cadmium or lead, will
be handled in such a way that the substances in question are not released to the environment.
Measures.
More resources for chemicals and environmental toxicology research are needed. • A global system
for information on hazardous substances in products should be introduced as part of the United

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Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) global chemicals strategy. • The business sector must be
encouraged to develop information on dangerous substances in products.
• The sector must also be encouraged to continue to replace particularly hazardous substances
wherever possible.
• An action strategy on mercury must be introduced in the EU and globally under the UNEP.
• Endocrine disrupting substances and highly allergenic substances should be covered by the EU
system for registration, evaluation and authorization of chemicals (REACH).
• The level of protection against plant protection products should be high, and at least as high as that
against other chemicals.
• More must be known about the environmental impact of medicines, cosmetics and hygienic
products.

• The responsibility of operators must be clearly defined. Create

A Protective Ozone Layer
The ozone layer must be replenished so as to provide long-term protection against harmful UV
radiation.
Tougher regulations on ozone-depleting substances need to be introduced and efforts should be made
to disseminate knowledge about the best available techniques for the handling and safe disposal of
these chemicals. • The cutoff date for using ozone-depleting substances should be moved forward
for each application as soon as this becomes technically feasible. • Support to developing countries
in the fields of legislation and supervision should be stepped up along with transfer of knowledge
and technology

A Safe Radiation Environment;

Human health and biological diversity must be protected against the harmful effects of radiation

in the external environment. Ionizing and non-ionizing radiation affects people, animals and the natural
environment is increasing but is still incomplete. Radiation protection has traditionally been confined to
human beings. Extensive efforts are now being made at international level to develop radiation protection
criteria for the environment as well. The incidence of skin cancer continues to rise. Increasingly widespread
use of telecommunications and IT has meant that members of the public are more exposed to certain types of

non-ionizing radiation practices

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A national system for the handling and final disposal of radioactive waste from non-nuclear applications will
be introduced. • Continued targeted action is needed to change people’s outdoor and sunbathing habits. •
Information initiatives should be aimed particularly at parents and staff responsible for the care of small

children. . development;
Zero Eutrophication
Nutrient levels in soil and water must not be such that they adversely affect human health, the
conditions for biological diversity or the possibility of varied use of land and water use.
Marine environments have suffered most. Despite reductions in Swedish emissions of nitrogen and
phosphorous compounds into the sea.

As agriculture accounts for a major share of emissions of nitrogen and phosphorous compounds, it is crucial
that action against eutrophication in our waters includes efforts to ensure that the next rural development
programme for the period 2007-2013 continues to incorporate suitably comprehensive, appropriately directed
measures. Examples of such measures include financial compensation for growing break crops, foregoing
autumn tillage, and the establishment of protected zones, wetlands and ponds.
The Government will have to announce measures to deal with sewage and waste-water discharges. These
include assigning the Environmental Protection Agency to look into the possibility of introducing more
efficient waste-water treatment technology for private sewage systems in areas sensitive to eutrophication. •
New environmental quality standards for nitrates in groundwater will have to be introduced. • The
Government intends to commission the National Board of Forestry to carry out a study, in consultation with
the Environmental Protection Agency, to ascertain the need for a new interim target on nitrogen accumulation
and leaching in forest area.
Flourishing Lakes and Streams
Lakes and watercourses must be ecologically sustainable and their variety of habitats must be preserved.
Natural productive capacity, biological diversity, cultural heritage assets and the ecological and water-
conserving function of the landscape must be preserved, at the same time as recreational assets are safe
guarded.
The aquatic environment suffered major encroachments in the 19th and 20th centuries: lake surfaces were
lowered, extensive areas were drained, water channels were cleared and deepened. Many bodies of water are
adversely affected by activities in the forestry and agricultural industries and by fishing. The percentage of
wholly unaffected or mildly affected watercourses is now small but many previously damaged bodies of water

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can be restored. Although existing biotope protection provisions are effective and have been successful, they
must be widened to include more threatened species and habitats.
The relevant authorities have to be identifying especially valuable lakes and watercourses in need of long-
term protection or restoration, and drawing up action plans. The Government will accordingly announce a
range of measures aimed at heightening the effectiveness of restoration and protection work on lakes. Action
is needed to ensure that fish stocking is carried out sustainably and that due consideration is given to the
impact of stocking on the environment. Efforts must be made to ensure cooperation between local
representatives and the relevant authorities and watercourse. The Government will also look into ways of
ensuring that supervision can be made more effective in terms of regulating water flows not covered by water
rights rulings.
Good-Quality Groundwater
Groundwater must provide a safe and sustainable supply of drinking water and contribute to viable habitats
for flora and fauna in lakes and watercourses.
Pesticide residues have been found in urban environments as well as in agricultural areas. The impact of
urbanization on groundwater reserves is growing at a time when the need to use them to meet our water supply
needs increases. Emissions of pollutants as a result of accidents is a risk factor.
Measures are Ground water reserves should be designated an item of national interest so as to ensure that
greater importance is attached to them in the spatial and community planning process. • Environmental quality
standards for nitrates and pesticides in groundwater will be introduced. • More municipal groundwater sources
need appropriately planned and designed water protection zones and protective regulations.
A Balanced Marine Environment, Flourishing Coastal Areas and Archipelagos
A sustainable productive capacity, and biological diversity must be preserved. Coasts and archipelagos must
be characterized by a high degree of biological diversity and a wealth of recreational, natural and cultural
assets. Industry, recreation and other utilization of the seas, coasts and archipelagos must be compatible with
the promotion of sustainable development. Particularly valuable areas must be protected against
encroachment and other disturbance.
Seas have reached a critical state as a result of over-exploitation, discharges from shipping and problems
associated with eutrophication.
• Areas meriting protection should be identified.
. •NO-fishing area should be set up. • An action plan to limit noise and other forms of disturbance from boat
traffic should be taken up. • The Government’s intensive efforts to promote the protection of areas of high
conservation value from shipping, including oil tankers, should continue.

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Thriving Wetlands.
The ecological and water-conserving function of wetlands in the landscape must be maintained and valuable
wetlands preserved for the future.
The percentage of roads that encroach in some way on wetlands is growing. The rate at which wetlands and
ponds are being newly created or restored on agricultural land is too slow.
Landowners must be encouraged to create and/or restore wetlands, a knowledge base will be set up to assess
the need for general mandatory consultation when building such roads.
Sustainable Forests
The value of forests and forest land for biological production must be protected, at the same time as biological
diversity and cultural heritage and recreational assets are safeguarded.
Forest land will have to be managed in such a way as to avoid damage to ancient monuments and to ensure
that damage to other known valuable cultural remains is negligible. Progress in achieving this EQO will be
affected by, among other factors, climatic changes, damage from grazing in growing forests, and acidification.
The impact of atmospheric pollution.
An evaluation will have to be made a) of the long-term economic cost effectiveness of existing conservation
instruments for the establishment of nature reserves, habitat conservation areas and conservation agreements
on state-owned forest land, and b) of the forest industry’s voluntary efforts in this regard. The geographic
distribution of protected forest areas will have to be reviewed.
Varied Agricultural Lands
The value of the farmed landscape and agricultural land for biological production and food production must
be protected, at the same time as biological diversity and cultural heritage assets are preserved and
strengthened. This EQO can be achieved with respect to the condition of arable land and long term production
capacity.
Animal husbandry as an agricultural component is essential to the long-term conservation and development
of natural and cultural assets in the agricultural landscape. The inclusion of relevant measures in terms of
scope and direction in the rural development programme for the forthcoming period will have a significant
impact on the sustainable development of the agricultural landscape.
A Magnificent Mountain Landscape
The pristine character of the mountain environment must be largely preserved, in terms of biological diversity,
recreational value, and natural and cultural assets. Activities in mountain areas must respect these values and
assets, with a view to promoting sustainable development. Particularly valuable areas must be protected from
encroachment and other disturbance.

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Although nature reserves and national parks provide protection to large areas containing natural and cultural
assets, not enough is known about cultural assets in particular and their care and management. Tourism,
reindeer herding, fish stocking and the fallout of atmospheric pollutants are some of the factors impacting on
recreational, natural and cultural assets in mountain areas. Noise from snow scooters, all-terrain vehicles and
over-flying aircraft will clearly be difficult to deal with. vegetation, aquatic organisms, noise pollution,
cultural environments and non-native and endangered species in mountain environments. Climate changes
can have a major impact on mountain environments. Temperature changes cause vegetation zones to be
displaced.
A Good Built In environment.
Cities, towns and other built-up areas must provide a good, healthy living environment and contribute to a
good regional and global environment. Natural and cultural assets must be protected and developed. Buildings
and amenities must be located and designed in accordance with sound environmental principles and in such
a way as to promote sustainable management of land, water and other resources.
The use of natural gravel in concrete aggregates has fallen sharply. There is still considerable scope for more
efficient energy use in residential and commercial buildings and premises.
Rationale of environmental standards
• Environmental standards should preserve nature and the environment, protect against
damage, and repair past damage caused by human activity.

• Environmentalism seeks to preserve the air and water we all depend upon; as well as
conserve and protect entire ecosystems compromising of animals, plants, and humans found in
different habitats throughout our planet.
concentration and mass standards
• The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has developed National Standards for Effluents
and Emission under the statutory powers of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 197
4 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
• These standards have been approved and notified by the Government of India, Ministry of
Environment & Forests, under Section 25 of the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986.
• Till now, Effluent standards for 37 categories of industries and Emission Standards for 31
categories of industries have been evolved and notified besides standards for ambient air quality,
ambient noise, automobile and fuels quality specifications for petrol and diesel. Guidelines have also
been developed separately for hospital waste management.

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 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT 18CV753

• Concentration is the amount of solute present in a solvent or a specified amount of solution.

• Calibration of Mass Standards. Summary. NIST maintains the national standard for mass in
the form of the prototype kilograms (K4, K20, K79, K92, and K102) and provides services to support
the parts of the national measurement system that rely directly or indirectly on mass measurements.

Effluent and stream standards ,

• Effluent Standard or Final Effluent Standard is the standard of effluent that a given

wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) needs to produce based on a set maximum inlet load in terms
of Flow, BOD, SS (Suspended Solids) & Ammonia (NH4), Nitrate (NO3), Nitrite (NO2), Total
Nitrogen (TN), Orthophosphate (OP) and Total Phosphate (TP) if specified. The outlet effluent
parameters are set relative to the influent parameters. sThe Stream standard is the standard of the
water in a particular water course to which a sewage treatment plant is discharging into. If a stream
standard exists, the Effluent standard for a particular WWTP is set by working back from the Stream
standard. For example, if a water course is used for drinking water, bathing or as a fishery, the stream
standard and thus the effluent standard discharging into that stream will be set relatively high and
will probably include low BOD/SS and NH4/TN/TP concentrations.
S t a n d a r d s f o r l i q u i d w a s t e equivalent

These limits are applicable to those hospitals which are either connected with sewers without
terminal sewage treatment plant or not connected to public sewers. For discharge into public sewers
with terminal facilities, the general standards as notified under the Environment (Protection) Act,
1986 shall be applicable.

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Emission standards

Emission standards are governmentally promulgated limits on the emission of a pollutant from a process.
There are limits on the emission of specific gaseous, vapor, and particulate pollutants from any process and
on their emission from specific processes. Emission standards are the legal requirements governing
air pollutants released into the atmosphere. Emission standards set quantitative limits on the
permissible amount of specific air pollutants that may be released from specific sources over specific
timeframes. Emissions standards may be established in terms of what can be achieved with available
technology or in terms of the impacts of the emissions on the ambient environment.
Ambient standards
• Ambient standards set maximum allowable levels of a pollutant in the receiving medium (air,
water, or soil).
• Ambient standards can offer a simple method of establishing priorities, since areas (or stream
lengths) that comply with the relevant ambient standards are considered to require no further
intervention, while other areas may be ranked by the extent to which concentrations exceed the
ambient standards.

• Setting ambient standards requires an explicit agreement on the environmental quality

objectives that are desired and the costs that society is willing to accept to meet those objectives.
However, because ambient standards can be set at different levels for different locations, it is possible

to use them to protect valuable ecosystems in a way that

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• N AT I O N A L A U T O M O B I L E A S S O C I AT I O N
would

M I N I M U M N AT I O N A L S T A N D A R D S ( M I N A S ) not be
The Minimal National Standards (MINAS) for specific industry are being evolved after looking
into practical difficulties, limitations and economic impact on the industry.
• The acceptability of the MIN AS Is linked with the techno-economic feasibility of the
treatment systems which is being linked with the annualized capital cost of pollution control and
turnover of the industry.
• The MINAS may be attained in one stroke or in phases, depending upon seriousness of the
pollution and techno-economic assessment of requisite pollution control measures.
The evolution of MINAS thus remain independent of the characteristics of the recipient
environment. The Central and State regulatory agencies for pollution control have come to an
agreement that under no circumstances MINAS would be relaxed, 'but can make it stringent
depending upon the location and quality of recipient environmentR E A M S T A N D A R D

Environmental Performance Evaluation (EPE)

ISO 14031 Environmental Performance Evaluation (EPE) was introduced for assessing
the environmental performance related to the management and operational systems. The
Environmental performance evaluation (EPE) is an internal process and mechanism that should

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enable continual management of reliable and verifiable information in order to determine whether
the environmental management system meets criteria defined by the management of the
organization.
Environmental Performance Index

The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) is a method of quantifying and numerically

marking the environmental performance of a state's policies. This index was developed from the
Pilot Environmental Performance Index, first published in 2002, and designed to supplement the
environmental targets set forth in the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.
Environmental performance indicators (EPI) concern an organization’s impacts on living and
non-living natural systems, including ecosystems, land, air and water. EPIs can show clearly how
the organization is performing, and provide a firm basis for future targets and improvements.
The main criteria used in selecting the appropriate indicators are environmental relevance,
international comparability, and applicability of the information provided by the indicator. The
environmental indicators should:
provide a representative picture of environmental conditions and pressures on the environment
be simple and easy to interpret
based on international standards and provide a basis for international comparison
adequately documented and of known quality
updated at regular intervals in accordance to reliable procedures.
The readers of the environmental report should get a clear and meaningful picture of the
organization's environmental performance. To do this will involve a range of data types, including:

Absolute data - information on performance is usually collected in terms of absolute units of

measurement (e.g. tonnes, cubic metres, gigajoules, etc) over a given period of time, usually per
annum.

Trend data - data per annum presented over a number of years (e.g. total waste to landfill for each
year from 1997-2000) helps show performance trends.

Normalized data - makes relationships between figures visible, by relating two absolute figures to
each other. Examples would include cubic meters of water used per employee, kilometres traveled

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per liter of fuel, the proportion of recycled waste to total waste, and total CO2 emissions per unit of
output.

A number of current initiatives recommend sets of broadly similar but not identical environmental
indicators. This includes guidance from the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), CSR Europe, etc.
Some may be more appropriate for relatively experienced reporters – others are more basic.
However, all guidelines may be used for environmental reporting.

Environmental impact Indicator Comment

Airborne Emissions (other 1. Total tonnes of ozone depleting gases, SO2, These indicators are only relevant
than greenhouse gases) NO2, particulates when such gases are being emitted.

Resource use and raw 1. Total tonnes of raw materials used Normalized data that relate tonnes of
materials raw materials input to tonnes or units
of output are normally used.

Transport 1. Total fuel consumed For some companies, employee

2. CO2 emissions per 1000 km traveled commuting may be a cause of
3. Vehicle fill per cent, and empty running per significant environmental impact.
cent
4. Employee kilometers covered on business
travel (road/air/rail)
5. Proportion of employees traveling alone by
car when commuting

Energy 1. CO2 emissions by energy type or major use You may also want to supplement
2. Consumption by type the information on total
CO2 emissions from energy use by
breaking it down by types or uses.

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Water Pollutants 1. Total discharge of effluent m3 This may include chemical oxygen
2. m3 effluent per tonne of product demanding emissions (COD),
biochemical oxygen demanding
emissions (BOD), particulates or
other materials.

Hazardous Waste 1. Total tonnes of hazardous waste generated If your organization produces
by type specific waste substances you may
want to quantify these separately.

should past by human

Indicators relevant to all organizations

activity.
Environmental impact Absolute data Normalized data Trend data
to

Greenhouse gas Total annual carbon Carbon dioxide emissions Total emissions of carbon
emissions dioxide emissions per employee, per unit of dioxide or emissions per
output, etc. employee compared with
previous years

Water consumption Total annual water Water consumption per Total consumption or
consumption employee, per unit of consumption per employee
output, etc. compared with previous
years

Waste output Total annual waste output Waste output per employee, Total waste or waste per
in tonnes or per unit of output, etc. employee compared with
previous years

the air and water we all depend upon; as well as and

preserve
protect entire ecosystems

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Benchmarking

Benchmarking is the practice of comparing business processes and performance metrics to industry
bests and best practices from other companies. Dimensions typically measured are quality, time and
cost.

Environmental benchmarking is a business tool that helps companies evaluate their environ-
mental performance and identify operating practices that contribute to superior performance
Corporate Social Responsibility, Environmental Compliance and Sustainability are often seen as
additional cost factors to the business in the new “green” economy. There are new vaguely defined
terms like carbon neutral products or being a sustainable business.
Benchmarking Success and Bluestone Energy have developed an environmental benchmarking tool,
called Environmental Sustainability Performance (ESP).
The benchmarking tool provides you with a framework to measure your environmental performance
and allows you to compare your environmental performance and cost against industry peers and
covers all environmental aspects.

Why Environmental Benchmarking?

 The current sustainability reporting frameworks only capture specific elements of
sustainability: there is no objective comparison available between a companies environmental spend
and the environmental performance
 Sustainability is a new area in business and definitions are vague, (f.i. carbon neutral; Green
washing). In order to market environmental friendly products and services, you need to ensure that
you can prove your statements.
 Business hasn’t focused on environmental efficiencies in the past; there are opportunities to
increase business efficiency by looking at your processes and supply chain through the
environmental aspect
 Additional Benefits of improving environmental performance:
 Competitive advantage in your products
 Brand Protection & Improved Reputation
 Increased shareholder value
 Reduced risk of environmental impact and damages

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Attract talented people that prefer to work for a sustainable company

Critical steps in Bench marking.
Identify function to bench mark
Identify best in class organizations in that function
Select performance measure
Identify data collection.

Pollution prevention vs pollution control

P
Pollution prevention is following practices and steps that will reduce and/or eliminate chances of
pollution taking place and pollution control means taking corrective measures to reduce pollution
already done in the environment like waste management, by using waste treatment system/plant etc.
Pollution prevention is stopping it before it happens Pollution control is managing the damage that
has been done. r Controlled pollution is governed by the government and is monitored.
Pollution control, is a prevention method control by extras measures. Pollution prevention is trying
to stop the pollution the companies are producing under the pollution controls already set in place to
eliminate excess pollution produced by them. pollution prevention aims to stop the pollution before
it occurs while control seeks to reduce its impact once it occurs.
Opportunities and barriers in pollution prevention and control.

Barriers to Pollution Prevention ("The Dirty Dozen") There are numerous reasons why more
businesses are not reducing the wastes they generate. The following "dirty dozen" are common
disincentives:

1. Technical limitations. Given the complexity of present manufacturing processes, waste

streams exist that cannot be reduced with current technology. The need for continued research and
development is evident.

2. Lack of information. In some instances, the information needed to make a pollution-prevention

decision may be confidential or is difficult to obtain. In addition, many decision makers are simply
unaware of the potential opportunities available regarding information to aid in the implementation
of a pollution-prevention program.

3. Consumer preference obstacles. Consumer preference strongly affects the manner in which a
product is produced, packaged, and marketed. If the implementation of a pollution-prevention
program results in the increase in the cost of a product or decreased convenience or availability,
consumers might be reluctant to use it.

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4. Concern over product quality decline. The use of a less hazardous material in a product's
manufacturing process may result in decreased life, durability, or competitiveness.

5. Economic concerns. Many companies are unaware of the economic advantages associated with
pollution prevention. Legitimate concerns may include decreased profit margins or the lack of funds
required for the initial capital investment.

6. Resistance to change. The unwillingness of many businesses to change is rooted in their reluctance
to try technologies that may be unproven or based on a combination of the barriers discussed in this
section.

7. Regulatory barriers. Existing regulations that have created incentives for the control and
containment of wastes are at the same time discouraging the exploration of pollution-prevention
alternatives. Moreover, since regulatory enforcement is often intermittent, current legislation can
weaken waste-reduction incentives.

8. Lack of markets. The implementation of pollution-prevention processes and the production of

environmentally friendly products will be of no avail if markets do not exist for such goods. As an
example, the recycling of newspaper in the United States has resulted in an overabundance of waste
paper without markets prepared to take advantage of this raw material.

9. Management apathy. Many managers capable of making decisions to begin pollution-prevention

activities, do not realize the potential benefits of pollution prevention.

10. Institutional barriers. In an organization without a strong infrastructure to support pollution-

prevention plans, waste-reduction programs will be difficult to implement. Similarly, if there is no
mechanism in place to hold individuals accountable for their actions, the successful implementation
of a pollution-prevention program will be limited.

11. Lack of awareness of pollution prevention advantages. As mentioned in reason no. 5, decision
makers may merely be uninformed of the benefits associated with pollution reduction.

12. Concern over the dissemination of confidential product information. If a pollution-prevention

assessment reveals confidential data pertinent to a company's product, fear may exist that the
organization will lose a competitive edge with other businesses in the industry.

Pollution-Prevention Incentives ("A Baker's Dozen") Various means exist to encourage pollution
prevention through regulatory measures, economic incentives, and technical assistance programs.

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Since the benefits of pollution prevention can surpass prevention barriers, a "baker's dozen"
incentives is presented below:

1. Economic benefits. The most obvious economic benefits associated with pollution prevention are
the savings that result from the elimination of waste storage, treatment, handling, transport, and
disposal. Additionally, less tangible economic benefits are realized in terms of decreased liability,
regulatory compliance costs (e.g., permits), legal and insurance costs, and improved process
efficiency. Pollution prevention almost always pays for itself, particularly when the time required to
comply with regulatory standards is considered. Several of these economic benefits are discussed
separately below.

2. Regulatory compliance. Quite simply, when wastes are not generated, compliance issues are not
a concern. Waste-management costs associated with record keeping, reporting, and laboratory
analysis are reduced or eliminated. Pollution prevention's proactive approach to waste management
will better prepare industry for the future regulation of many hazardous substances and wastes that
are currently unregulated. Regulations have, and will continue to be, a moving target.

3. Liability reduction. Facilities are responsible for their wastes from "cradle-to-grave." By
eliminating or reducing waste generation, future liabilities can also be decreased. Additionally, the
need for expensive pollution liability insurance requirements may be abated.

4. Enhanced public image. Consumers are interested in purchasing goods that are safer for the
environment, and this demand, depending on how they respond, can mean success or failure for
many companies. Business should therefore be sensitive to consumer demands and use pollution-
prevention efforts to their utmost advantage by producing goods that are environmentally friendly.

5. Federal and state grants. Federal and state grant programs have been developed to strengthen
pollution-prevention programs initiated by states and private entities. The EPA's "Pollution
Prevention by and for Small Business" grant program awards grants to small businesses to assist
their development and demonstration of new pollution-prevention technologies.

6. Market incentives. Public demand for environmentally preferred products has generated a market
for recycled goods and related products; products can be designed with these environmental
characteristics in mind, offering a competitive advantage. In addition, many private and public
agencies are beginning to stimulate the market for recycled goods by writing contracts and
specifications that call for the use of recycled materials.

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7. Reduced waste-treatment costs. As discussed in reason no. 5 of the dirty dozen, the increasing
costs of traditional end-of-pipe waste-management practices are avoided or reduced through the
implementation of pollution-prevention programs.

8. Potential tax incentives. In an effort to promote pollution prevention, taxes may eventually need
to be levied to encourage waste generators to consider reduction programs. Conversely, tax breaks
could be developed for corporations that utilize pollution-prevention methods to foster pollution
prevention.

9. Decreased worker exposure. By reducing or eliminating chemical exposures, businesses benefit

by lessening the potential for chronic workplace exposure and serious accidents and emergencies.
The burden of medical monitoring programs, personal exposure monitoring, and potential damage
claims are also reduced.

10. Decreased energy consumption. As mentioned previously, methods of energy conservation are
often interrelated and complementary to each other. Energy expenditures associated with the
treatment and transport of waste are usually but not always reduced when the amount of waste
generated is lessened, while at the same time the pollution associated with energy consumed by these
activities is abated.

11. Increased operating efficiencies. A potential beneficial side effect of pollution-prevention

activities is a concurrent increase in operating efficiency. Through a pollution-prevention
assessment, the assessment team can identify sources of waste that result in hazardous waste
generation and loss in process performance. The implementation of a reduction program will often
rectify such problems through modernization, innovation, and the implementation of good operating
practices.

12. Competitive advantages. By taking advantage of the many benefits associated with pollution
prevention, businesses can gain a competitive edge.

13. Reduced negative environmental impacts. Through an evaluation of pollution-prevention

alternatives, which consider a total systems approach, consideration is given to the negative impact
of environmental damage to natural resources and species that occur during raw-material
procurement and waste disposal. The performance of pollution-prevention endeavors will therefore
result in enhanced environmental protection.
Cleaner production and cleaner technologies
The term cleaner production (CP) was launched 1989 by the United Nations Environment
Program (UNEP) as a response to the question of how to produce in a sustainable manner. Its core

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element is prevention vs clean-up or end-of-pipe treatment to environmental problems. Resources

should be used efficiently thus reducing environmental pollution and improving health and safety.
Economic profitability together with environmental improvement is the aim. Cleaner production
typically includes measures such as good housekeeping, process modifications, eco-design of
products, and cleaner technologies, etc. The United Nations Environment Program defines cleaner
production as “the continuous application of an integrated, preventative environmental strategy to
processes, products and services to increase eco-efficiency and reduce risks to humans and the
environment” (UNEP, 1997).
Cleaner production is a preventive approach to environmental management; it is a term that
encompasses eco-efficiency and pollution prevention concepts with risk reduction to humans and
the environment. Cleaner production is not against economic growth, it just insists that the growth
is sustainable. Therefore cleaner production is a “win-win” strategy. It protects the environment,
conserves our natural resources while improving the operating industrial efficiency, profitability,
company image and competitiveness. Cleaner production focuses on conservation of natural
resources such as water, energy and raw materials and avoids the end-of-pipe treatment. It involves
rethinking for products, processes and services to move towards sustainable development.
By considering production processes, cleaner production includes conserving raw materials and
energy, eliminating toxic raw materials, and reducing the quantity and toxicity of all emissions and
wastes before they leave a process. For products, the strategy focuses on reducing impacts along the
entire life cycle of the product. Cleaner production is achieved by applying know-how, by improving
technology, and by changing attitudes. Changing attitudes is the most challenging and the most
important step in applying the cleaner production concept.
The conceptual and procedural approach to production which demands all phases of the life cycle of
products, must be addressed with the objective of the prevention or minimization of short- and long-
term risks to humans and to the environment.
One factor in defining cleaner production is therefore the reduction in production costs that results
from improved process efficiencies. In terms of investment the key difference is that investment
in end-of-pipe technologies “treatment” is nearly always additional investment, whereas investment
in cleaner production always pays. This has obvious implications for employment and production
cost.

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A useful definition of cleaner production needs to take account of the distinction between
technologies and processes. For example, a process may be made “cleaner” without necessarily
replacing process equipment with cleaner components – by changing the way a process is operated,
by implementing improved housekeeping or by replacing a feedstock with a “cleaner” one. Cleaner
production may or may not, therefore, entail the use of cleaner technologies. Investment in cleaner
production via the implementation of clean technologies is clearly easier to identify than investment
in cleaner production by any other means. Whatever the method employed to make production
cleaner, the result is to reduce the amount of pollutants and waste generated and reduce the amounts
of non-renewable or harmful inputs used.
Most of the developed and developing countries are working toward zero pollution not only in
industrial sectors but also in vehicle emissions to reduce gaseous emissions to allowable limits and
in other sectors such as construction and agricultural. To approach zero pollution, industry should
prevent all pollutants from its effluent. The cleaner production hierarchy to eliminate all pollutants
and approach zero waste/pollution should start from raw material selection through to recycling and
all the way to product modifications in order to avoid end-of-pipe treatment
There are three broad categories of clean technologies:

Low and non-waste technologies (LNWT) of production aimed at waste minimization at all points
in the cycle of production through process changes, good housekeeping, recycle and reuse,
equipment design, and product formulations,

Recycle technologies designed to recover raw materials, energy, water and by-products in the course
of end-of-pipe treatment,

Waste utilization technologies for reclamation and utilization of waste to manufacture products with
various end uses. Waste minimization has to be achieved through more selective, environmentally
benign methods.

Selection and application of clean technologies require a comparative analysis and evaluation of
various competing technologies based on economic, social, technological, and environmental
conditions. Already significant modifications have been made in well-established processes, such as

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in the manufacture of cyclohexanone, sulfuric acid, etc., permitting them to be made through newer
feed stocks, conditions, and catalysis. In the manufacture of caustic soda, membrane
technology without mercury pollution completely replaced accepted mercury cell technology.

Closing the loops

Moving from a traditional linear system to a circular system, otherwise known as closing the loop,
is a growing idea in the world of sustainable design and manufacturing.

Closing the loop means moving from traditional design, which looked at the linear model for design
and production – make, use and dispose – to how the disposal stage could be fed back into the
creation of a new product.

With many businesses now looking to save resources, energy or money, one design philosophy built
around the circular system which is growing in popularity is the idea of Cradle to Cradle design.

Cradle to Cradle design is about creating continuous cycles of both biological and technical
‘nutrient’ which means products are made from pure components that can be easily dissembled and
used to create new products.

It also places focus on the use of renewable energy in the manufacturing process, water conservation
and social responsibility.

Zero discharge technologies

Implementation of zero discharge technologies reduces water pollution and augments water supply,
the technology is constrained by high cost and intensive energy consumption.

Zero-liquid discharge (ZLD) is a water treatment process in which all wastewater is purified and
recycled; therefore, leaving zero discharge at the end of the treatment cycle. Zero liquid discharge is
an advanced wastewater treatment method that includes ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis,
evaporation/crystallization, and fractional electrode ionization.

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, p Technologies in water

 Falling Film Brine Concentrators

 Forced Circulation Crystallizer
 Horizontal Spray Film Evaporator
 Hybrid Systems with Membrane Pre-Concentrators
 Biological Treatment
 Solids Waste Handling
t against damage, and C past damage caused by human activity.

Environmentalism seeks to preserve the air and water we

all depend upon; as well as conserve and protect entire
ecosystems compromising of animals, plants, and humans
found in different habitats throughout our planet.
RR Environmental standards should preserve nature
and the environment, protect against damage, and
repair past damage caused by human activity.
; ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS

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