Cleaner Production versus end-of-pipe
Throughout the past century, people all over the world have recognized that human activities have contributed to the deterioration of the environment and to the loss of natural resources. Within recent decades though, we have witnessed a paradigm shift from pollution control (the so called "End of Pipe" thinking) to pollution prevention strategies.
Most recently, the concept of cleaner production has entered the global environmental arena. Cleaner production fits within pollution preventions broader commitment towards the prevention rather than the control of pollution. Pollution prevention is an approach which can be adopted within all sectors, whether it be a household or a large industrial complex. Cleaner production, on the other hand, directs activities towards production aspects, particularly within the manufacturing sector.
Unlike in the past when pollution was simply controlled, pollution prevention and cleaner production programs attempt to reduce or eliminate air, water, and land pollution in an efficient and sustainable manner. Therefore, pollution prevention and cleaner production approaches benefit both the environment and society.
The table illustrates the difference between end-of-pipe technologies and cleaner production in the sense of production integrated environmental protection.
|
End of pipe technology |
Cleaner production |
|
how can we treat existing waste and emissions? |
where do waste and emissions come from? |
|
stands for re-action |
stands for action |
|
generally leads to additional costs |
can help to reduce costs |
|
waste and emissions are limited through filters and treatment units end-of-pipe solutions repair technology storage of emissions |
waste and emission prevention at the source avoids potentially toxic processes and materials |
|
environmental protection comes in after products and processes have been developed |
environmental protection comes in as an integral part of product design and process engineering |
|
environmental problems are solved from a technological point of view |
environmental problems are tackled at all levels / in all fields |
|
environmental protection is a matter for competent experts |
environmental protection is everybody´s business |
|
is bought from outside |
is an innovation developed within the company |
|
increases material and energy consumption |
reduces material and energy consumption |
|
increased complexity and risks |
reduced risks and increased transparency |
|
environmental protection comes down to fulfilling legal prescriptions |
environmental protection as a permanent challenge |
|
is the result of a production paradigm dating from a time when environmental problems were not as yet known |
is an approach intending to create production techniques for a more sustained development |