Benefits and Barriers of Implementing Cleaner Production

Benefits and Barriers of Implementing Cleaner Production

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Introduction

Mol, A. P and Buuren (2013) report that most countries environmental policy and management practices typically focus on end-of-pipe treatment as their best industrial pollution control technique. However, this practice is in total violation of the overall recognition given to pollution prevention. Many countries in the world including the developed nations such as China and Canada took significant steps in introducing and implementing the cleaner production policy framework. Such steps came after a unique and famous conference conducted by United Nation in 1992 to address issues related to the environment and development.

According to Mol, A. P and Buuren (2013) the policy framework comprises of compulsory, incentives, pressure and supportive mechanisms. There are different challenges facing different nations particularly the developing word in the implementation of the process in spite of the high willingness to execute it. Several countries in the world continue to continue to suffer from the challenges of implementing the policy framework as they long to enjoy its exacerbated benefits.

According to UNEP (2010), cleaner production refers to the progressive, systematic utilization of integrated preventive environmental techniques to solve issues related to environmental pollution. Cleaner production (CP) aims at enhancing the effectiveness of a program while minimizing the hazards and risks the program may impact on the environment as well as the entire community. For instance, CP is entirely different from the traditional mechanisms that aimed at endpoint treatment and control of pollution. Contrary to the traditional techniques of appropriate environmental management that occurred to react to the changes via treatment, CP reflects a proactive, anticipated and prevention strategy.

UNEP (2010) asserts that the most international companies apply CP frequently too gain effective production. CP results in resource conservation as well as appropriate eradication of waste materials generated from different processes in the company.  Moreover, CP process is applicable during the entire processes of production that starts from the original planning phase to the utilization as well as the phase of disposal management. It is, therefore, imperative to conduct an in-depth discussion of the benefits and barriers that arise from the implementation of the cleaner production policy framework.

Benefits

According to Tully, S. (2005), cleaner production apply to all sectors of the economy. Such areas include trade, mining, fishing, agriculture particularly in dairy, beef and fish farming, textile manufacturing industries and all production process. There is an indispensable need for implementation of cleaner production due to the high number of benefits that accrue to an organization seeking to put the policy framework in place. Additionally, there are various techniques used in the implementation of the framework (UNECA, UNEP, UNIDO, ARSC&P, 2009). Such methods include improved housekeeping practices, process optimization, substitution of raw materials, and use of the new technological application as well as new product design.