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Toxic Chemicals
process. Making this type of change in Brazil would provide membrane and related
equipment sales opportunities.
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND PRODUCTIVITY ENHANCEMENT
The implementation of toxic chemical usage reduction programs will inevitably
lead to new technologies and manufacturing techniques through the exploration of
pro cess improvements that could include
• New technologies required to implement material substitutions (new cleaning equipment, coating application methods, drying techniques, etc.).
• Process improvements for reducing the need for toxic chemicals (reducing
the soiling of parts to reduce the need for cleaning).
• Beneficial substance substitution (replacement of toxic chemicals with ones
that are less toxic and that do not generate additional pollution in transport,
increased energy use, or the generation of more toxic waste products). An
example includes the installation of aqueous parts washing equipment to
replace vapor degreasers and eliminate the use of chlorinated solvents to
clean parts before metal finishing (plating or painting).
Furthermore, process improvements examined during the review of manufacturing
methods may lead to increased efficiency and productivity. One method by which efficiencies could be gained is the implementation of lean manufacturing techniques, by
which all aspects of the manufacturing process are examined to improve efficiencies.
Productivity enhancements from toxic chemical use reduction projects could include
• Reduced labor from the handling of toxic materials
• Improved health of employees due to reduced exposure to toxic chemicals
(more productive on the job, fewer sick days, fewer trips to the doctor, etc.)
• Reduced need for personal protective equipment
There is a current debate about the potentials and limitations of using regulation to
promote innovation and technology transfer and enhance productivity for the environment. A number of analysts have proposed models for how environmental regulation can promote innovation and be more effective in the process. The most famous
hypothesis argues that the right kind of regulation can lead to competitive advantages
for firms taking early and decisive action to improve “resource productivity.” Others
have criticized this limited view of “innovation-friendly regulation” as motivating
only incremental innovations in pollution control, arguing instead that regulation
should drive “radical innovation.” Others argue that a key to moving forward to
spur real innovation requires the development of policies for “social learning.” These
policies move beyond specific strategies (such as market mechanisms and P2) and
should create or realign relationships to collectively solve environmental problems.
Taken together, these hypotheses provide insights into strategies to support
innovation, technology transfer, and enhancement of productivity by focusing on
performance outcomes (rather than standards). These insights mandate that firms
Toxic Chemicals
process. Making this type of change in Brazil would provide membrane and related
equipment sales opportunities.
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND PRODUCTIVITY ENHANCEMENT
The implementation of toxic chemical usage reduction programs will inevitably
lead to new technologies and manufacturing techniques through the exploration of
pro cess improvements that could include
• New technologies required to implement material substitutions (new cleaning equipment, coating application methods, drying techniques, etc.).
• Process improvements for reducing the need for toxic chemicals (reducing
the soiling of parts to reduce the need for cleaning).
• Beneficial substance substitution (replacement of toxic chemicals with ones
that are less toxic and that do not generate additional pollution in transport,
increased energy use, or the generation of more toxic waste products). An
example includes the installation of aqueous parts washing equipment to
replace vapor degreasers and eliminate the use of chlorinated solvents to
clean parts before metal finishing (plating or painting).
Furthermore, process improvements examined during the review of manufacturing
methods may lead to increased efficiency and productivity. One method by which efficiencies could be gained is the implementation of lean manufacturing techniques, by
which all aspects of the manufacturing process are examined to improve efficiencies.
Productivity enhancements from toxic chemical use reduction projects could include
• Reduced labor from the handling of toxic materials
• Improved health of employees due to reduced exposure to toxic chemicals
(more productive on the job, fewer sick days, fewer trips to the doctor, etc.)
• Reduced need for personal protective equipment
There is a current debate about the potentials and limitations of using regulation to
promote innovation and technology transfer and enhance productivity for the environment. A number of analysts have proposed models for how environmental regulation can promote innovation and be more effective in the process. The most famous
hypothesis argues that the right kind of regulation can lead to competitive advantages
for firms taking early and decisive action to improve “resource productivity.” Others
have criticized this limited view of “innovation-friendly regulation” as motivating
only incremental innovations in pollution control, arguing instead that regulation
should drive “radical innovation.” Others argue that a key to moving forward to
spur real innovation requires the development of policies for “social learning.” These
policies move beyond specific strategies (such as market mechanisms and P2) and
should create or realign relationships to collectively solve environmental problems.
Taken together, these hypotheses provide insights into strategies to support
innovation, technology transfer, and enhancement of productivity by focusing on
performance outcomes (rather than standards). These insights mandate that firms