POLLUTION BALANCE - A NEW METHODOLOGY FOR MINIMIZING WASTE PRODUCTIONIN MANUFACTURING PROCESSES

A new methodolgy based on a generic pollution balance equation, has be en developed for minimizing waste production in manufacturing processe s. A ''pollution index,'' defined as the mass of waste produced per un it mass of a product, has been introduced to provide a quantitative me asure of waste generation in a process. A waste reduction algorithm al so has been developed from the pollution balance equation. This paper explains this methodology and demonstrates the applicability of the me thod by a case study.