Handbook of Environmental Engineering

24Industrial Waste Auditing

C. Visvanathan

Environmental Engineering and Management Program, Asian Institute of Technology, Khlong Luang, Thailand

24.1 Overview

In the pursuit of “sustainable production and consumption,” as the true value of natural resources and nonrenewable energy sources is being globally perceived, wastes can no longer be viewed as substances that are spendable. Researches show that wastes have been traditionally discharged into natural bodies as unwanted substances that still possess some economical value. What is useless in one context can be useful in another. Importantly, pollution problems can be significantly reduced if wastes can be reused and recycled instead of discharging them to natural bodies. There is a radical shift in the perception of opportunities with industrial waste, and the current tone is to “conserve and cultivate” rather than “deploy and deplete.”

Sustainable development goal (SDG) 2015 targets to sustainably manage the industrial waste by increasing its resource use efficiency. Industrialization has impacts to the environment, and a sound technological adoption will not only minimize the environmental pressure but also reduce the cost of production. SDG 2015 aims to achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resource by 2030. It emphasizes on reduction of waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse. It aims the retrofitting of industries with technologically sound and resource efficient ...