A waste management strategy for major industries

An integrated industrial waste management strategy can reduce both disposal costs and environmental pressures, while contributing to overall profitability at a time of rising energy and raw materials prices. While such a residuals management programme obviously involves liquid and gaseous emissions, and energy accounting, major emphasis is placed in this paper on solid wastes and the iron and steel industry. Key elements of the suggested strategy include: making an inventory of the residuals for each process, including energy; reducing the loss or degrading of materials and energy; increasing recovery, regeneration and recycling; optimizing collection, handling and transportation; developing uses for residuals; designing storage and disposal sites; and co-ordinating and reviewing activities within a waste management group. Implementation requires active senior level participation to ensure that the interacting objectives are achieved.