Industrial environment environmental impact minimization

Too many industries currently produce varying concentrations of heavy metal laden waste streams with undesired consequences for the environment. Increasing emphasis has been placed on environmental impact minimization. This has led to the search for natural, inexpensive materials able to remove metals from factory effluents. Heavy metal absorption capacities of modified cellulose materials are found to be significant and their levels of uptake are comparable, in many instances, to other naturally occurring absorbent materials and to commercial ion exchange type resins. Many of the modified cellulose adsorbents proved to be regenerable and reusable over a number of absorption/desorption cycles. This allows easy recovery of the absorbed heavy metals in a concentrated form [22]. 

Urban, rural and industrial developments may have profound effects on the surrounding environment. Such effects can defeat the object of development, in that the negative environmental impact may outweigh the benefits. In the case of natural resources, inappropriate development may even destroy the resource base. If environmental matters are accorded adequate consideration during the planning and management of development programs and projects it is possible for pollutants to be assimilated. As a result, the whole development can be accommodated by the environment in such a way that adverse effects are minimized and the economic and social benefits of development are maximized. 

When this definition is considered with the description of waste, it is apparent that any human activity generates both waste and pollution. Differentiation between the two is difficult. It is generally accepted now, that humans must be more efficient in managing their activities on the surface of the planet if there is to be a sustainable development of society and preservation of the quality of life. As a result of past practices, scientific research and an improving understanding of our own impact on the environment, recent legislative changes have meant that industry, often viewed as the primary polluter, is pressurized to clean up and minimize its environmental impact. 

The chemical industry has come along way in the last five decades. There is an improved focus on safety, a greater understanding of the effect of chemicals on the environment, a stronger effort in waste minimization and a commitment to cooperate in areas concerning safety and the environment. Undoubtedly, as technology and understanding improves in future decades, we should see further improvements in safety and lessened environmental impacts. 

By its nature, industrial production has an impact upon the environment. Whenever raw materials are extracted, processed, used, and eventually discarded, some enviromnental impacts will occur. In designing an industrial ecological system, several major kinds of environmental impacts must be considered in order to minimize them and keep them within acceptable limits. These impacts and the measures taken to alleviate them are discussed below. 

The use of recycled polymers in the construction industry satisfies Resolution 307/2002 of National Council of Environment (CONAMA) Article I, which establish guidelines, criteria and procedures for the management of construction waste, regulating the actions needed in order to minimize environmental impacts. 

In resin synthesis, compounding, and processing, the industry needs to make a conscious effort to prevent or minimize environmental pollution. In instances where some pollution is inevitable, the industry should develop viable strategies to minimize damage to the environment and should quantify the magnitude of the anticipated impact. Pollution prevention should always be practiced in preference to waste treatment or clean up after the fact. 

Sustainable development is a relatively new idea that implies that companies must attempt to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (World Commission on Environment and Development 1997). The aim of sustainable development is to minimize the impact of industrial activity on the world s resources, but it is also viewed as a tool to more effectively integrate the environmental, health, and safety processes into corporate strategies by ensuring that business decisions have a minimal impact on the resources of the organization and its surrounding community. 

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