UNIT-3

Syllabus: Environmental management system: ISO 14001, Concept of Circular

Economy, Life cycle analysis; Cost-benefit analysis, Environmental audit and impact
assessment; Waste Management and sustainability; Ecolabeling /Eco mark scheme

Environmental management system

An Environmental Management System (EMS) is a structured framework that helps
organizations identify, manage, monitor, and improve their environmental
performance. It provides a systematic approach to compliance with environmental
regulations, reducing environmental impact, and promoting sustainable practices.

Key Components of an EMS:

1. Environmental Policy – A statement outlining the organization’s commitment to

environmental protection.

2. Planning – Identifying environmental aspects and impacts, setting objectives and

targets, and establishing legal and regulatory requirements.

3. Implementation and Operation – Developing procedures, training employees,

and ensuring proper documentation and communication.

4. Monitoring and Measurement – Tracking performance, conducting audits, and

ensuring compliance with environmental goals.

5. Evaluation and Improvement – Reviewing policies, addressing non-

conformities, and implementing continuous improvement strategies.

Popular EMS Standards:

• ISO 14001: International standard for environmental management systems.

• EMAS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme): European Union regulation for

sustainable business practices.
Example of an Environmental Management System (EMS)
Implementation
Company: A cement manufacturing plant
The cement industry significantly impacts the environment due to emissions, resource
consumption, and waste generation. To address these issues, the company implements
an Environmental Management System (EMS) following ISO 14001.

Application of EMS Key Components (Practical Example to understand EMS)

1. Environmental Policy

The company develops an environmental policy stating its commitment to:

• Reducing CO₂ emissions

• Managing waste effectively

• Conserving natural resources

• Complying with environmental regulations

2. Planning

• Environmental Aspects & Impacts Identification:

o CO₂ emissions from kilns

o Dust pollution from raw material handling

o Water usage in cement processing

o Waste generation from defective batches

• Objectives & Targets:

o Reduce CO₂ emissions by 20% in 5 years

o Implement dust control measures within 6 months

o Reduce water consumption by 15% through recycling

• Legal & Regulatory Compliance:

o The company ensures compliance with environmental laws and emission

standards set by regulatory bodies.

3. Implementation and Operation

• The company installs bag filters and electrostatic precipitators to control dust
pollution.
 • Water recycling systems are introduced to reduce freshwater consumption.

• Employee training programs are conducted on waste management and energy-

efficient practices.

• A dedicated EMS team is formed to oversee implementation.

4. Monitoring and Measurement

• Emission levels are continuously monitored using air quality sensors.

• Water usage logs are maintained to track reductions.

• Internal audits are conducted every 6 months to check EMS effectiveness.

5. Evaluation and Improvement

• A management review meeting is held annually to assess EMS performance.

• If dust levels remain high, the company modifies its dust suppression
techniques.

• If water recycling is inefficient, the company invests in better filtration

technology.

• Continuous improvement strategies are implemented to meet sustainability

goals.

Outcome:

After implementing the EMS, the cement plant successfully:

✔ Reduced CO₂ emissions by 18% in 3 years

✔ Cut down dust pollution by 30%

✔ Achieved a 12% reduction in water consumption

✔ Improved compliance with environmental regulations

This example demonstrates the practical application of all EMS components in an

industrial setting, ensuring sustainable and responsible operations.
Benefits of EMS
• Regulatory Compliance: Helps organizations meet environmental laws and
regulations.

• Risk Management: Identifies potential environmental risks and helps in

mitigating them.

• Cost Savings: Improved efficiency in resource use (e.g., energy, water) leads to
reduced operational costs.

• Enhanced Reputation: Demonstrates a commitment to environmental

stewardship, which can improve public perception and stakeholder confidence.

• Continuous Improvement: Encourages ongoing review and improvement of

environmental performance.

ISO 14000:2015
The ISO 14000 family of standards is a set of international guidelines and frameworks
developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), focusing on
environmental management systems (EMS). These standards help organizations
manage their environmental responsibilities in a systematic manner that contributes to
the pillars of sustainability: economic, environmental, and social aspects.

Key Objectives of ISO 14000 Standards

• Environmental Protection: Minimize harmful effects on the environment

caused by an organization's activities.

• Compliance: Help organizations comply with environmental laws and

regulations.

• Sustainability: Encourage continuous improvement in environmental

performance and sustainable practices.

• Transparency: Provide a clear structure for reporting environmental impacts and

performance.

Benefits of ISO 14000 Standards

1. Improved Environmental Performance: Organizations can systematically

manage and reduce their environmental impact.
 2. Legal Compliance: Helps organizations meet regulatory and legal requirements
related to the environment.

3. Enhanced Reputation: Demonstrating environmental responsibility can improve

relationships with customers, stakeholders, and regulators.

4. Cost Savings: Reducing energy consumption, waste, and inefficiencies can lead
to significant cost savings.

5. Risk Management: Identifying and mitigating environmental risks minimizes

potential liabilities.

6.Competitive Advantage: ISO 14000 certification can differentiate an organization

in the marketplace by highlighting its commitment to sustainability.

7.Continuous Improvement: The standards promote ongoing assessment and

improvement of environmental performance through audits and reviews.

Core Standards in the ISO 14000 Family

1. ISO 14001: Environmental Management System (EMS) – Requirements with

Guidance for Use

1. ISO 14001 is the most recognized standard in the ISO 14000 family.

2. It provides a framework for setting up and maintaining an EMS to reduce

environmental impact.

3. It helps organizations improve resource efficiency, reduce waste, and

drive cost savings while ensuring compliance with regulations.

4. The standard is based on the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle and

encourages continuous improvement.

2. ISO 14004: General Guidelines on Environmental Management Systems

1. This standard provides guidelines on establishing, implementing,

maintaining, and improving an EMS.

2. It gives organizations additional guidance on how to interpret and

implement ISO 14001, focusing on strategies for better environmental
performance without adding new requirements.

3.ISO 14006: Environmental Management Systems – Guidelines for Incorporating

Eco-design

• ISO 14006 provides guidance on incorporating eco-design into an EMS.

 • It helps organizations systematically consider environmental aspects in
product design and development, aiming to minimize a product's
environmental impact throughout its lifecycle.

4. ISO 14044: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) – Requirements and Guidelines

1. ISO 14044 sets out the principles and framework for conducting Life
Cycle Assessment (LCA).

2. It covers the compilation and evaluation of inputs, outputs, and

environmental impacts of a product system throughout its life cycle, from
raw material extraction to disposal.

3. LCA is essential for understanding the full environmental impact of

products and services.

5. ISO 14040: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) – Principles and Framework

1. This standard provides a general framework for Life Cycle Assessment.

2. It introduces the four main phases of LCA: goal and scope definition,
inventory analysis, impact assessment, and interpretation.

ISO 14001: Environmental Management System (EMS)

ISO 14001 is an internationally recognized standard that outlines the requirements for an
effective Environmental Management System (EMS). It is part of the ISO 14000 family
of standards on environmental management, helping organizations improve their
environmental performance, comply with regulations, and minimize their environmental
footprint.

Purpose and Objective

The purpose of ISO 14001 is to provide a framework for organizations to develop and
implement effective EMS. Its main objectives are:

• Environmental Protection: Minimize harmful effects on the environment caused

by an organization's activities.

• Compliance: Ensure that the organization complies with environmental laws and
regulations.

• Continuous Improvement: Establish a process of continuous improvement of

the organization’s environmental performance.
Key Benefits of ISO 14001

1. Improved Environmental Performance

• Reduction of Environmental Impacts: ISO 14001 helps organizations identify,

control, and reduce their environmental impacts, such as waste, emissions, and
resource consumption.

• Enhanced Resource Efficiency: The standard promotes better use of resources

like water, energy, and raw materials, resulting in less waste and more sustainable
operations.

• Waste Minimization: It fosters the development of strategies for waste reduction,

including recycling and reusing materials, which further reduces environmental
harm.

2. Compliance with Legal and Regulatory Requirements

• Legal Compliance: ISO 14001 ensures organizations meet current environmental

laws and regulations, reducing the risk of fines, penalties, and legal actions.

• Proactive Approach to Future Regulations: By adopting ISO 14001,

organizations stay ahead of potential environmental regulations, ensuring
ongoing compliance as laws evolve.

3. Cost Savings

• Energy and Resource Efficiency: By focusing on efficient use of resources,

companies often experience significant cost savings through reduced energy
consumption, minimized waste, and optimized production processes.

• Lower Waste Management Costs: The standard encourages waste reduction

strategies, leading to lower costs for waste disposal, treatment, and landfill use.

• Improved Operational Efficiency: Through better process management and

reduced resource waste, ISO 14001 can lead to leaner operations and cost
savings across the supply chain.

4.Risk Management and Reduction

• Identification and Mitigation of Environmental Risks: ISO 14001 helps

organizations systematically identify and manage environmental risks, reducing
the likelihood of incidents such as spills, contamination, and non-compliance.

• Reduced Liability: By ensuring compliance with environmental laws and

reducing environmental harm, ISO 14001 can help mitigate the risk of fines, legal
actions, and reputational damage.
 • Preparedness for Environmental Emergencies: The standard requires
organizations to develop procedures for responding to environmental
emergencies, helping to minimize damage in case of accidents.

Circular Economy
Introduction
• The circular economy is an economic model based on eliminating waste and
making the economy more sustainable.

• The model is a diversion from the linear economy, which focuses merely on the
take, make, consume and dispose of method.

• The circular economy consists of a system where there is an emphasis on the

reduction of waste, reuse and recycling.

• This can help put in place environmentally friendly practices, increase the
longevity of items and encourage reuse instead of throwing away things that might
be deemed outdated.

• The circular economy not only benefits the environment but also businesses,
where biodegradable content goes back to nature and the non-biodegradable
material is simply reused or recycled.

• It promotes the concept of finding the use of parts that can be salvaged, things
that can be repaired, and recycled.

• This itself can give rise to entire industries engaged in the efficient use and reuse
of products.
Produce, Consume, Throwaway Vs Repair, Reuse and Recycle

The traditional production and consumption system has long included the produce,
consume and throw away mechanism, which restricts products to single-use. On the
contrary, the circular model aims at reducing waste, reusing and recycling material and
reducing waste. In fact, waste in a circular model is converted back into products.

Resource-Intensive Vs Resource-Efficient

The circular economy model is arguably more resource-efficient, as compared to the

resource-intensive linear model. The latter relies on resource-intensive modes of
production for producing single use products. Whereas, the circular model aims at
reducing waste and making the most efficient use of resources.

Environmentally Harmful Vs Environmentally Friendly

Unlike the linear model, the circular economy relies on the efficient use of resources from
the design, acquisition of raw material, production, transport and delivery stage. Hence,
the circular model aims at making the process as efficient and environmentally friendly
as possible at all stages that comprise the production to the delivery of the product to the
consumer. The resources used can be reused in the circular economy model, including
the reuse of products even during the production stage.

Benefits of Circular Economy

1. Reduces the use of non-renewable resources

For decades, scientists have been warning us about the dangers of overuse of limited
resources.

Today, more than ever, we continue to consume nonrenewable resources—like oil and
metal ores—as though we have an endless supply. This practice is not sustainable.
Through a circular economy, practices like reusing resources and refurbishing old
products (rather than throwing them away) are the norm. This ensures that we use fewer
nonrenewable resources.

A true circular economy will boast zero waste, meaning nothing gets thrown away.
Essentially, it’s a smarter way to use the resources that we have.

2. Lowers carbon emissions

According to the European Environment Agency, materials management (such as the

production and disposal of materials) contributes up to two-thirds of greenhouse gas
emissions.
A circular economy will help minimize that since its entire model revolves around
sustainable management of materials. Through a circular economy, materials are
managed more efficiently through reuse of products and materials, encouraged use of
renewable resources, maintaining sustainable practices, and more.

3. Aims for zero waste

A cornerstone of a circular economy is to reuse resources and products leading to a zero

waste model.

This is beneficial for everyone.

Zero waste means fewer ocean-bound plastics, less trash in our oceans, and fewer
landfills. It also means that there’s less of a need to mine finite resources; we reuse them
instead.

While many environmental models require reduction in order to achieve zero waste, the
circular economy model actually encourages growth. This makes it an ideal goal for
industry, individuals, and governments alike all while achieving much-needed
environmental goals.

4. Provides benefits for the consumer

Besides the environmental benefits, a circular economy provides plenty of benefits for
the consumer. Due to the reuse of materials, it discourages practices like planned
obsolescence, which means that your products will last longer.

It also promises an increased disposable income since it encourages practices like

buying used items, leasing or renting instead of owning, and other more economic
practices.

Another huge benefit to the consumer is job creation. In order to achieve a circular
economy, many new industry types will need to emerge. This means that there will be
plenty of new jobs available.

5. Opens new opportunities for companies

Companies can also see many benefits to the circular economy model. Along with more
job availability mentioned above comes more business opportunities (such as
refurbishing old items, collecting used resources like clothing or electronics, and so on).

Existing companies can also enjoy a more secure supply of resources as we reuse the
resources that we already have rather than depending upon finite resources. This may
decrease the cost of materials allowing companies to run more efficiently. The practice
may also improve customer loyalty.
 Life cycle assessment
Life cycle assessment is best known for quantitative analysis of environmental aspects
of a product over all its life cycle stages.

• An LCA is a systematic tool that enables the analysis of environmental loads of a

product throughout its entire life cycle and the potential impacts of these loads
on the environment.

❑ "Products" in this context include both products and services.

❑ Emissions to the air, water, and land (such as CO2, BOD, solid wastes) and
resource consumption, constitute "environmental loads".

❑ "Environmental impacts" in the LCA context, refer to adverse impacts on areas

that should be safeguarded, such as ecosystem, human health, and natural
resources.

Need:

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a systematic method used to evaluate the environmental
impacts of a product, process, or service throughout its entire life cycle—from raw
material extraction to disposal. The need for LCA arises due to increasing environmental
concerns, resource depletion, and sustainability goals.

Key Reasons Why LCA is Needed

1. Identifying Environmental Hotspots

o Helps pinpoint the stages in a product’s life cycle that have the highest
environmental impact (e.g., energy-intensive manufacturing, high
emissions during transport).

2. Reducing Carbon Footprint

o Assists in quantifying greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and suggests ways

to minimize them.

3. Optimizing Resource Use

o Encourages efficient use of raw materials, energy, and water, reducing

waste and costs.

4. Comparing Alternative Materials and Processes

o Helps in selecting environmentally friendly materials and processes (e.g.,

choosing recycled over virgin materials).

5. Complying with Environmental Regulations

 o Supports industries in meeting environmental standards such as ISO
14040/14044, EU directives, and national sustainability policies.

6. Enhancing Product Sustainability

o Aids in the development of eco-friendly products with lower environmental

impacts.

7. Supporting Circular Economy Initiatives

o Promotes recycling, reuse, and sustainable waste management.

8. Making Informed Business Decisions

o Helps companies make sustainability-driven choices for supply chains,

production, and product development.

9. Increasing Consumer Awareness & Green Marketing

o Provides transparent environmental impact data, helping businesses build

eco-conscious brands.

10. Encouraging Innovation in Sustainable Design

• Drives research in eco-friendly alternatives such as biodegradable packaging,

renewable energy solutions, and low-emission materials.

Example of LCA Application

In construction, LCA can compare the environmental impact of ordinary Portland cement
(OPC) vs. geopolymer concrete. If LCA shows that geopolymer concrete has a lower
carbon footprint and energy demand, companies may adopt it to achieve sustainable
construction goals.

LCA is essential for achieving net-zero emissions, green manufacturing, and sustainable
development.

1. Benefits of LCA for Industries

Cost Reduction & Resource Efficiency

• Identifies opportunities to reduce raw material usage, energy consumption, and

waste generation.

• Lowers operational costs by optimizing resource use.

Improved Environmental Performance

 • Helps industries measure and reduce their carbon footprint, water usage, and
emissions.

• Supports cleaner production technologies and sustainable product design.

Compliance with Regulations

• Ensures adherence to environmental laws, ISO 14040/14044 standards, and

sustainability policies.

• Reduces legal risks and penalties associated with environmental non-

compliance.

Competitive Advantage & Marketability

• Enhances brand reputation by showcasing eco-friendly products.

• Attracts environmentally conscious consumers and investors.

Supports Innovation & Green Technology Development

• Encourages research in sustainable materials, recycling methods, and low-

impact manufacturing.

• Helps industries transition towards net-zero emissions and circular economy

models.

Informed Decision-Making in Product Design

• Helps select environmentally preferable raw materials and production processes.

• Provides data to improve supply chain sustainability.

Supports Green Certification & Eco-Labeling

• Facilitates the attainment of LEED, BREEAM, or Environmental Product

Declarations (EPD).

• Assists in acquiring eco-labels such as Energy Star, FSC, or EU Ecolabel.

2. Benefits of LCA for Governments

Policy Development & Environmental Regulations

• Provides scientific data for drafting environmental policies, emission limits,

and waste management guidelines.

• Helps in formulating carbon taxation, extended producer responsibility (EPR),

and sustainability targets.
 Climate Change Mitigation

• Helps assess the environmental impact of industries and promotes low-carbon

technologies.

• Assists in achieving Net-Zero goals, Paris Agreement commitments, and SDG

targets.

Promotes Circular Economy & Sustainable Development

• Supports waste reduction strategies, recycling programs, and resource

efficiency.

• Encourages businesses to adopt sustainable production and consumption

models.

Public Health & Environmental Protection

• Reduces pollution levels by identifying high-impact industrial processes.

• Ensures better air quality, water conservation, and biodiversity protection.

Sustainable Infrastructure Planning

• Aids in developing eco-friendly transport systems, green buildings, and

renewable energy projects.

• Supports smart city initiatives and green urban planning.

Encourages Green Procurement

• Helps government agencies adopt sustainable purchasing policies for public

infrastructure, energy, and services.

• Ensures procurement of low-carbon materials and energy-efficient products.

Conclusion: Why LCA Matters?

LCA helps industries stay competitive, reduce costs, and meet sustainability goals,
while governments use it for policy-making, climate action, and economic growth. By
integrating LCA, both sectors can work towards a greener, more sustainable future.
 Cost-benefit analysis
Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) is a systematic process used to evaluate the economic,
social, and environmental costs and benefits of a project, policy, or decision. It helps
decision-makers assess whether an investment or action is worth pursuing.

Key Steps in Cost-Benefit Analysis:

1. Identify the Project/Policy: Define the scope of the project and its objectives.

2. List Costs and Benefits: Identify all potential costs (financial, environmental, and
social) and benefits.

3. Assign Monetary Values:

o Direct costs: Initial investment, maintenance, operational costs.

o Indirect costs: Environmental damage, social impacts.

o Direct benefits: Revenue generation, resource savings.

o Indirect benefits: Ecosystem preservation, social well-being.

4. Discount Future Values: Since costs and benefits occur over time, future values
are discounted to present value using a discount rate.

5. Compare Costs and Benefits:

o Net Present Value (NPV):

o Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR):

6. Sensitivity Analysis: Evaluates uncertainties in assumptions, costs, and

benefits.

7. Decision Making: If benefits outweigh costs, the project is recommended for

implementation.

Applications in Environmental Management:

• Evaluating waste management strategies.

• Assessing renewable energy projects.

• Measuring the impact of pollution control measures.

• Cost-effectiveness of sustainability programs.

 Environmental audit and impact assessment

1. Environmental Audit (EA)

An Environmental Audit is a systematic evaluation of an organization's environmental

performance. It helps ensure compliance with environmental regulations, improve
sustainability practices, and minimize environmental risks.

Types of Environmental Audits

Environmental audits help organizations assess their environmental performance and

ensure compliance with regulations. Here are the main types:

1. Compliance Audit

• Evaluates whether an organization follows environmental laws, regulations, and

policies.

• Identifies legal risks and areas of non-compliance.

• Example: Checking if a factory follows air and water pollution control regulations.

2. Waste Audit

• Assesses the quantity, type, and management of waste generated.

• Helps in identifying waste reduction and recycling opportunities.

• Example: Analyzing waste disposal methods in a manufacturing plant.

3. Energy Audit

• Examines energy consumption patterns and identifies energy-saving measures.

• Helps in reducing energy costs and improving efficiency.

• Example: Conducting an energy efficiency study in a commercial building.

4. Water Audit

• Analyzes water usage and identifies areas for conservation and efficiency.

• Helps in reducing water wastage and ensuring sustainable water management.

• Example: Evaluating water consumption in an agricultural or industrial setting.

5. Sustainability Audit

• Assesses overall sustainability practices, including resource usage, carbon

footprint, and environmental policies.
 • Helps in improving corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

• Example: Evaluating a company's sustainability report and green initiatives.

6. Health & Safety Audit

• Ensures workplace safety concerning environmental hazards.

• Focuses on air quality, hazardous materials handling, and emergency

preparedness.

• Example: Assessing occupational safety in a chemical plant.

Objectives of Environmental Audits:

• Identify environmental risks and non-compliance issues.

• Improve resource efficiency and reduce waste.

• Ensure legal and regulatory compliance.

• Enhance corporate environmental responsibility.

2. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process used to evaluate the potential

environmental effects of a proposed project before it is approved. It helps in decision-
making by predicting impacts and proposing mitigation measures.

Steps in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a systematic process to evaluate the

potential environmental effects of a proposed project. Here are the key steps:

1. Screening

• Determines whether a project requires an EIA.

• Based on project size, location, and environmental sensitivity.

2. Scoping

• Identifies key environmental issues to be studied.

• Defines the boundaries of the assessment (air, water, soil, biodiversity).

• Engages stakeholders to understand concerns.

3. Impact Assessment & Prediction

• Evaluates potential positive and negative environmental impacts.

 • Uses models and data analysis to predict effects on air, water, soil, and
biodiversity.

4. Mitigation Measures

• Suggests ways to prevent, minimize, or compensate for adverse impacts.

• Example: Installing pollution control equipment or reforestation programs.

5. Public Consultation

• Involves local communities, NGOs, and stakeholders in decision-making.

• Collects opinions and suggestions to improve project sustainability.

6. EIA Report Preparation

• Documents findings, including impact analysis, mitigation measures, and

monitoring plans.

• Submitted to regulatory authorities for approval.

7. Decision Making

• Authorities review the EIA report and approve, modify, or reject the project.

• Conditions may be imposed for environmental protection.

8. Monitoring and Compliance

• Ensures that mitigation measures are implemented.

• Regular monitoring to check environmental performance.

• Adjustments made if unexpected impacts arise.

Applications of EIA:

• Infrastructure development (roads, dams, airports).

• Industrial projects (factories, mining, power plants).

• Urban planning and land-use changes.

 Waste Management and Sustainability
1. Waste Management

Waste management involves the collection, transportation, treatment, and disposal of

waste materials to minimize environmental and health risks.

Key Waste Management Methods:

1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (3Rs)

• Reduce: Minimizing waste generation by using fewer resources (e.g., avoiding

single-use plastics).

• Reuse: Extending product life by using items multiple times (e.g., reusable bags,
bottles).

• Recycle: Processing waste into new products (e.g., recycling paper, glass, and
plastic).

2. Landfilling

• Disposal of waste in designated areas with controlled conditions.

• Modern landfills use liners and gas collection systems to prevent pollution.

3. Composting

• Biological decomposition of organic waste (food scraps, leaves) into nutrient-rich

compost.

• Used as natural fertilizer for agriculture and gardening.

4. Incineration

• Burning waste at high temperatures to reduce volume.

• Can generate heat or electricity but may cause air pollution if not properly
controlled.

5. Waste-to-Energy (WTE)

• Converts waste into usable energy (electricity, biogas, fuel).

• Includes technologies like anaerobic digestion, gasification, and pyrolysis.

• Reduces landfill use and generates renewable energy.

2. Sustainability in Waste Management

Sustainable waste management aims to reduce environmental impact while conserving

natural resources.
Principles of Sustainable Waste Management:

1. Circular Economy

• A system that promotes resource efficiency by keeping materials in use for as long
as possible.

• Focuses on designing out waste, reusing, refurbishing, and recycling materials.

• Example: Using recycled plastic to make new products instead of using virgin
plastic.

2. Zero Waste Approach

• Aims for complete waste elimination through sustainable production and

consumption.

• Encourages redesigning products to minimize waste generation.

• Example: Using packaging-free stores and compostable packaging.

3. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

• A policy that makes manufacturers responsible for the entire lifecycle of their
products, including disposal.

• Encourages companies to design products that are easier to recycle and have a
lower environmental impact.

• Example: Electronics manufacturers collecting old devices for recycling.

4. Eco-friendly Materials

• Materials that are biodegradable, recyclable, or sustainably sourced.

• Reduces environmental pollution and conserves natural resources.

• Example: Using bamboo, bioplastics, or recycled paper instead of conventional

plastic.
 Ecolabeling / Eco Mark Scheme
1. Ecolabeling

Ecolabeling is a certification system that identifies products and services that meet
environmental standards. It helps consumers choose eco-friendly products and
promotes sustainable production practices.

Key Features of Ecolabeling:

• Voluntary certification based on life cycle analysis (raw materials, production,

use, disposal).

• Ensures reduced environmental impact compared to conventional products.

• Common ecolabels: Energy Star (electronics), FSC (Forest Stewardship

Council for paper), and EU Ecolabel (European sustainability certification).

2. Eco Mark Scheme (India)

The Eco Mark is an ecolabeling scheme launched by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
to certify environmentally friendly products in India.

Key Aspects:

• Certifies products that meet specific environmental criteria and quality

standards.

• Covers various product categories, including paper, textiles, soaps, and food
items.

• Recognized by the green symbol with an earthen pot.

Benefits of Ecolabeling & Eco Mark:

✔ Helps consumers make sustainable choices.
✔ Encourages industries to adopt green practices.
✔ Reduces environmental pollution and resource depletion.