Industrial waste minimisation: concepts and technology

As the industrialisation takes a leap ahead threatening to incur serious damage to environment, it is necessary to protect the environment through more conservative efforts. Towards this end traditional 'End-of-the-pipe treatment' is grossly inadequate and to achieve the desired results, it is necessary to integrate the pollution control right into the heart of the industrial processes. This not only results in less pollution but also helps in recycling of valuable nonrenewable resources, often with a considerable amount of cost saving. This technology is called 'Waste Minimisation' or 'Low or No Waste Technology (LNWT)'. This paper highlights some of the advantages of LNWT and the methods to implement LNWT in industry. The methodologies are illustrated with some examples. Finally criteria for comparison of various methodologies and the need for research and development are brought out.