The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) definition of "Cleaner Production", and the one in most common use is, "cleaner production means 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".

For production processes, Cleaner Production results from one or a combination of conserving raw materials, water and energy; eliminating toxic and dangerous raw materials; and 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.

What are the Benefits of Cleaner Production?

Cleaner Production can reduce operating costs, improve profitability, worker safety and reduce the environmental impact of your business. Companies are frequently surprised at the cost reductions achievable through the adoption of Cleaner Production techniques. Frequently, minimal or no capital expenditure is required to achieve worthwhile gains, with fast pay-back periods. Waste handling charges, raw material usage and insurance premiums can often be cut, along with potential risks.

On a broader scale, Cleaner Production can help alleviate the serious and increasing problems of air and water pollution, ozone depletion, global warming, landscape degradation, solid and liquid wastes, resource depletion, acidification of the natural and built environment, visual pollution and reduced bio-diversity.

Cleaner Production does not deny growth, it merely insists that growth be ecologically sustainable. It should not be considered only as environmental strategy, because it also relates to economic considerations.

In this context, waste is considered as a 'product' with negative economic value. Each action to reduce consumption of raw materials and energy, and prevent or reduce generation of waste, can increase productivity and bring financial benefits to enterprise.

Cleaner Production is a 'win-win' strategy. It protects the environment, the consumer and the worker while improving industrial efficiency, profitability, and competitiveness.

The key difference between pollution control and Cleaner Production is one of timing. Pollution control is an after-the-event, 'react and treat' approach. Cleaner Production is a forward-looking, 'anticipate and prevent' philosophy.

Source:www.unep.org

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