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 Reilly
former U.S. EPA Administrator

Cleaner Production/
Pollution Prevention

Most technologies generate much larger quantity of waste

than corresponding stoichiometric (thermodynamic) values
Why?

Limitation of the technology in use

Type and quality of raw material used
Type of product specification
Poor housekeeping and maintenance
Human error

Potential for
minimizing waste

INPUT

OUTPUT

waste

Creative/Innovative inputs

INPUT

Cleaner Production
OUTPUT

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 Index
Worldwide Sales: $21.1B
R&D Expenditure: $ 1.3B
No. of Researchers: 6,500
No. of Patents: 487
Employees: 69,000 worldwide in 60 countries
Technologies
Adhesives
Abrasives
Light Management
Nanotechnology
Non-woven Materials
Surface Modification

could never achieve goals through treatment

moves wastes from one media to another
Solution!
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, production
and sales of modular carpet
Headquartered in Atlanta, Interface has manufacturing
locations on four continents and offices in more than
100 countries.
In business for over 30 years, Interface is a leader in
industrial ecology, with the vision of becoming the
world's first environmentally restorative company by
2020.

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 peoples lives;
12.Redesign Commerce: Creating a new business model that
13.demonstrates and supports sustainability-based commerce;

Interface - Results
The ReEntry program diverted 85 million pounds of
material from landfill between 1995 and 2005. In
2005, 18 million pounds was diverted from landfill
and used in recycling (71%), energy capture and
conversion (28%), and repurposed (1%).