Industry hampered by own cleaner production vision<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Environmentalists acknowledge Indonesian
\nindustries' efforts to implement zero pollution production, but
\nsay it has been hampered by business considerations as well as
\nthe industries' own vision of what constitutes clean industry.<\/p>\n
\"To date there is no absolutely clean industry but the effort
\nshould be recognized and the industry's vision of clean
\nproduction used as a goal to pursue,\" said Chandra Kirana, Toxic
\nCampaign Advisor from Greenpeace International.<\/p>\n
According to Chandra, public perception of environmental
\nissues is generally of a conflict of interests between the public
\nwho suffer from pollution and industry.<\/p>\n
What must be considered are the concerns of all stakeholders
\n-- from industry itself to non-governmental organizations, about
\nhow to prevent further environmental degradation.<\/p>\n
This stance, Chandra said, acknowledged that both the public
\nand industry needed resources to support their livelihoods. The
\nchallenge was to maximize utilization of resources without
\nfurther damaging the environment.<\/p>\n
Chandra was speaking at a round-table conference, hosted by
\nthe Indonesia Cleaner Production Program (ICIP) at the Hyatt
\nAryaduta Hotel. It was attended by representatives from the
\nbusiness community, non-governmental organizations (NGOs),
\ngovernment officials and academics.<\/p>\n
ICIP is a partnership sponsored by the Indonesian government
\nand the United States Agency for International Development.
\nLaunched on June 6, 1995, it seeks to share cleaner production
\ntechnology with interested companies.<\/p>\n
The ICIP provides industry with information and consultancy
\nwhile supporting the government program to increase the quality
\nof the environment.<\/p>\n
Cleaner production aims to boost industrial production
\nefficiency through the use of renewable or recycled materials,
\nsubstituting hazardous with less hazardous materials as well as
\nincreasing industry's operational systems and working procedures.<\/p>\n
\"Maybe one day industry can apply the cradle-to-cradle
\nproduction process,\" Chandra said referring to production
\nprocesses which recycle and are clean. The \"cradle-to-grave
\nprocess\" ends in toxic waste.<\/p>\n
Clean production provides economic incentives for industry
\nthrough lower production costs, and because it gives competitive
\nadvantages amid increasing demand for environmentally-friendly
\nproducts.<\/p>\n
Companies interested in increasing productivity can seek
\nICIP's assistance. If selected, ICIP will provide experts from
\nthe U.S. to determine the most appropriate technology for the
\ncompany to adopt. The company should try to comply with the
\nsuggestions provided.<\/p>\n
Liana Bratasida, Technical Development Director at the
\nEnvironmental Impact Management Agency, said the round-table
\ndiscussion was expected to evolve into an independent
\ncommunication forum between multi-stakeholders.<\/p>\n
The ICIP has in its first year of operation helped prevent
\npollution in 19 cases, and saved Rp 2.1 billion for a Rp 92
\nbillion investment. It helped reduce liquid waste by 50 percent
\nannually. ICIP plans to assist 50 companies across Indonesia in
\nthe next two years.<\/p>\n
Garjito P. Sudirjo, a senior consultant from Redecon Resource
\nand Development Consultants, told The Jakarta Post that an
\nunconfirmed hypothesis claimed that good housekeeping of good
\nindustries might reduce industrial pollution by 15 percent.<\/p>\n
Emil Salim, the former state minister of environment and
\npopulation, told the conference to take heed of the forum.
\n\"Everyone can contribute to the quest for cleaner production
\nindustries,\" he said. (06)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/industry-hampered-by-own-cleaner-production-vision-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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