INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY - A CRITICAL-REVIEW

Scientists, policy-makers, and the general public are becoming increas ingly aware of environmental damage associated with the large and grow ing material through-put required in modern industrial society. One ap proach emerging in response to these concerns is called Industrial Eco logy (IE). IE signals a shift from 'end-of-pipe' pollution control met hods towards holistic strategies for prevention and planning of more e nvironmentally sound industrial development. However, the broad umbrel la of IE currently houses a diverse group of scholars, consultants, an d environmentalists, who range in scope from those advocating incremen tal changes in existing systems, to some promoting a total transformat ion of industrial activity. This article presents a critical review of the existing US literature on IE. We introduce and critique IE's prim ary concepts, and analyse weaknesses and gaps in IE's conceptual frame work. We also discuss the needs and potential for advancing if concept s and projects in the future.