Reduction of pollution and enhancement of productivity in industries through attitude change and cleaner production: perception and reality in Nepal

Abstract

This research study deals with the reduction of the pollution generated from the operation of industries. Adverse impact of industrial activities on the natural environment has created critical ecological concerns. Now, industries research organizations and government agencies are considering the alternates of the command and control technique in environmental pollution control activities. End of the pipe treatment for pollution is no more effective and sustainable. Basically, adverse impact on environment due to pollution from the industries can be reduced by applying two approaches viz hardware and software approaches. Although industries have many options to reduce the environmental impact of their activities through technology change, modern equipment, product design, waste disposal using end of pipe treatment, it all required high investment and additional expenses which add the production cost leading to being uncompetitive in the market. It is always effective to reduce the pollution by controlling the waste generation at the source itself rather than to treat it after it was generated. The research was conducted focusing on the software approaches such as good housekeeping, better production management, regular training and creating awareness among the working people. Qualitative Methodology is adopted for data collection and research design with focus on its philosophical premise, which encompasses ontological, epistemological, and methodological assumptions. The concept of Cleaner Production was adopted and implemented in the study. The outcomes of the research study are based on long years of my experience in industrial environmental management. During the research study period, several sessions of in-depth interaction, observations and interviews with all level of the research participants were conducted. Number of awareness programs and trainings on attitude change within the premises of the concept of Cleaner Production was also conducted for research participants. The comparison in improvement before and after the program was done and improvement in the reduction of the waste leading to reduction of pollution was monitored. The study revealed that attitude of the working people is the prime requisite for reduction of pollution from the industries. Thus the pollution from the operation of industries can be reduced by Changing the Attitude of the working people. The attitude of the working people can be changed through regular awareness program and training on Cleaner Production along with motivational scheme. The study asserted that the success in reduction of the pollution by changing the attitude of the working people will be for long term and it is sustainable. As Pollution Reduction is due to waste minimization at the source itself, it gave not only better natural environment and safety to working people through reduction of pollution but also enhancement of overall productivity and more benefit to industries through resource saving. The study also revealed that the reduction of pollution discharged by the industries cannot be achieved for long term sustainability only through Command and Control Approach.