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Sustainable Development and Environmental Reform
on the prevention of waste generation at the source which is achieved by
adopting the CP techniques discussed in Chapter 2 to enhance processes,
products, or services that will lead to energy, raw material, and cost savings
as well as protection of the environment and natural resources. A cleaner
production audit is necessary to systematically identify and evaluate cleaner
production opportunities.

Environmental management system/cleaner production
Environmental management systems (EMS) and cleaner production (CP) are
located at the top of sustainable development tools. Huge efforts in spread-
ing these concepts worldwide are dedicated especially to developing coun-
tries due to the immediate environmental and financial benefits they
generate if properly applied as explained in Chapter 2.
By carrying EMS for existing activities, in addition to adopting the 7Rs
rule, the organization will be in compliance with environmental regulations,
which will facilitate the implementation of cleaner production techniques.
Therefore, the 7Rs rule can now be called the hierarchy for cleaner produc-
tion in order to approach cradle-to-cradle. However, the adoption of the 7Rs
does not rely solely on investors; research institutes and universities should
develop solutions to existing environmental problems and promote the con-
cept of sustainable development. On the other hand, new investors should
be encouraged to cooperate and establish a recycling unit to reuse/recycle
the waste and produce raw materials/products that can be sold.
EMS can be implemented using cleaner production techniques or pollu-
tion control systems. The key difference between cleaner production and other
methods like pollution control is the choice of timing, cost, and sustainability.
Pollution control follows a “react and treat” approach, while cleaner produc-
tion adopts a “prevent better than cure” approach as previously discussed.
Cleaner production therefore focuses on before-the-event techniques that can
be categorized as discussed in Chapter 2 and are as follows:

• Source reduction:
– Good housekeeping
– Process changes:
◆ Better process control
◆ Equipment modification
◆ Technology change
◆ Input material change.
• Recycling:
– On-site recycling
– Useful byproducts through off-site recycling.
• Product modification.
Cleaner production can reduce operating costs, improve profitability and
worker safety, and reduce the environmental impact of the business. Companies