Cleaner production What does it mean for industry in Finland and EU? Dr. Eva Pongrácz University of Oulu Department of Process and Environmental Engineering

Why cleaner production? During the last decades, there was a clear evolution in the general attitude of governments and industry regarding protection of the environment in a positive sense This is also due to the development of win-win strategies, such as Cleaner Production Cleaner Production describes a preventative approach to environmental management It is a broad term that encompasses what some countries/institutions call eco-efficiency, waste minimisation, pollution prevention, or green productivity, but it also includes something extra:eco-efficiency,waste minimisation pollution preventiongreen productivity Cleaner Production refers to a mentality of how goods and services are produced with the minimum environmental impact under present technological and economic limits

Defining cleaner production The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) definition of "Cleaner Production” is: ”Cleaner Production is the continuous application of an integrated preventive environmental strategy to processes, products, and services to increase overall efficiency, and reduce risks to humans and the environment. Cleaner Production can be applied to the processes used in any industry, to products themselves and to various services provided in society.”

For production processes, Cleaner Production results from one or a combination of conserving raw materials, water and energy eliminating toxic and dangerous raw materials reducing the quantity and toxicity of all emissions and wastes at source during the production process For products, Cleaner Production aims to reduce the environmental, health and safety impacts of products over their entire life cycles, from raw materials extraction, through manufacturing and use, to the 'ultimate' disposal of the product For services, Cleaner Production implies incorporating environmental concerns into designing and delivering services

EU thematic strategies There are 7 thematic strategies, which are part of the 6 th Environmental Action Plan Thematic strategy on the prevention and recycling of waste COM(2005)666 As a first step, the Commission proposes revising the 1975 Waste Framework Directive to set recycling standards and to include a waste prevention strategy. This revision will also merge, streamline and clarify legislation, contributing to better regulation Thematic Strategy on the Sustainable Use of Natural Resources COM(2005)670 The objective of the Thematic Strategy on the sustainable use of natural resources is to reduce the environmental impacts associated with resource use and to do so in a growing economy.

Waste prevention strategy Influencing practical decisions taken at various stages of the life cycle: design, manufacture, use phase This strategy does not prescribe EU waste prevention targets as this would not be the most effective way to foster waste prevention Such targets fail to address the complexity of environmental impact The weight of waste could be reduced yet the environmental impact could increase, whereas small weight reductions can bring large reductions in environmental impact Prevention measures will have to be taken at national, regional or local level

Waste strategies in Finland Since Finland joined the EU in 1995, environmental legislation follows European Community legislation The Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and the Council on Waste (COM(2005) 667 of ) places great attention on preventive measures: Obligation for Member States to develop publicly available waste prevention programmes, in the context of sustainable production and consumption “The promotion of research and development into the area of achieving cleaner and less wasteful products and technologies and the dissemination and use of the results of such research and development” The work on Finland’s new waste plan (VALTSU) is in progress, and it shall include measures on waste prevention and (hopefully) promoting cleaner production

Waste costs Treatment and disposal are only the tip of the waste iceberg… (Source: UNEP-DTIE)

Passive environmental strategy Strategy of dilute and spread or concentrate and store Dilution of waste streams, large smokestacks dispersing emission to larger areas Heavy burden on the environment Damage to human health for present and future generations Damage to aquatic environment Potential long-term consequences Environmental non-compliance Surpassing emission limits Ultimately the problems are not solved only postponed

Reactive environmental strategy End-of-pipe solutions in essence Water purification systems Thermal destruction of hazardous waste Air-pollution control – scrubbers Wastes segregation and treated later Heavy on investment and costly to maintain Provides only temporary solution

Cleaner production – a proactive strategy UNEP/DTIE A preventive approach Addresses pollution at its source Waste avoidance Not only temporary solution: needs top-level commitment, monitoring and continuous improvements Numerous positive effects No need for external waste treatment Regulatory compliance Improved profits through better utilization of raw materials and energy Savings in money, time, space and other resources

Evolution of attitudes toward environmental issues Passive environmental protection Negative environmental impacts  Regulatory non-compliance  Active environmental protection Costly end-of-pipe solutions  Inefficient  Cleaner production Cost-effective Regulatory compliance More efficient use of raw materials and energy Ref.: Lanteigne et al. 2004

Cleaner Production is more than technology The most common types of changes that are demonstrated by environmental improvements in industry are: changes to the type, quality or quantity of resources used; improved maintenance or “housekeeping”; equipment modification or substitution; changes to processes; and, more recently, changes to products and services. While these technical types of changes are indispensable, it is not enough by itself to bring cleaner production in organisations. This is because of the human dimensions of organisational change

The human dimension Cleaner production is not only about changing raw materials, processes and products. It is also about changing corporate culture and the attitudes of people. An understanding of the dynamics of change within organisations undertaking cleaner production can help educators, consultants and other actors to improve the potential for success. Great role of teachers and researchers!

Conclusions What does cleaner production mean for industry? Cost reduction Compliance with environmental regulation Greener image Improving competitiveness Better working conditions for employees A new corporate attitude Commitment for future In sum: ecological, economical and social benefits Cleaner production should be the No.1. option in solving pollution related problems!

References United Nations Environmental Programme Division of Technology Industry and Economics (UNEP/DTIE): Cleaner Production. URL: UNEP/DTIE: Financing Cleaner Production. URL: United Nations Environmental Programme Division of Technology Industry and Economics (2002) Profiting from Cleaner Production. Towards Efficient Resource Management. URL: R. Lanteigne, V. Laforest, F. Breuil (2004) Clean Technologies and Best Available Techniques (BATs): An Overview. PRODEST project. Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Mines, Saint-Etienne, France. URL: Chapter 1: The evolution of environmental strategies: Toward Cleaner Production Chapter 5: How can Cleaner Production help reduce waste and make profit: Case study