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Cleaner
production consists in the continuous application of an environmental
prevention strategy to processes and products with the aim of reducing
risks for humans as well as the environment.
With respect to the processes, cleaner production includes the conservation of primary materials and energy, the elimination of primary toxics and the reduction in the quantity and toxicity of all emissions and waste before being eliminated from the process.
Regarding the processes, the strategy's objective is to reduce all harmful effects, during the life cycle of a product, from the extraction of primary materials until the final disposal.
Clean production is achieved with the help of expertise, an improvement in technology and/or a change in attitudes.
Why is clean production different?
A large part of what is thought today about the impacts on the environment revolves around what should be done about waste and emissions after they have been produced. The goal of clean production is primarily to avoid the production of waste and reduce the use of primary materials and energy.
Why is clean production important?
In the long term, clean production is the most profitable means of dealing with the processing, development and manufacturing of products. The cost of waste and emissions, as well as the negative impacts on health and the environment can be avoided from the beginning by applying the concept of clean production.
Clean Production Manual
A training resource pack
The first English version of this manual was produced by the Unit of Industry and the Environment in UNEP in France. The translation into Spanish was done by PNUMA/ORPALC
It is available in PDF format.
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