Reidson Pereira Gouvinhas

A produção mais limpa como ferramenta da sustentabilidade empresarial: um estudo no estado do Rio Grande do Norte

The purpose of this stydy was to assess the Cleaner Production - CP as a corporate sustainability tool, through a multiple case study in companies from the State of Rio Grande do Norte. To this end, our research methodology approach used the CP methodology from SEBRAE (2005) and applied it to the food industry (Company 1), the textile industry (Company 2) and to a car dealer (Company 3). Results highlighted, among other variables, the specific sustainability focus of any observed cleaner production activity. In company 1, raw material substitution, optimization of water and energy usage were the main foci. In Company 2, the foci were the optimization of fabric usage and technological modification (installation of washing equipment for the printing plates; before that, there was not control of water usage in this process, resulting in increased water consumption and disposal of waste). Company 3 was focused on source segregation and external recycling. However, these results pointed out that environmental, social and economic improvements demand corporate sustainability; and more commitment from executive management is needed to consider CP as an effective sustainable tool.

Eco-efficiency within Extended Supply Chain as Product Life Cycle Management

Designers make decisions that ultimately impact on both the economic and environmental performance of the products, and many of these costs and impacts occur across the supply chain. This paper proposes an eco-efficiency model for product life cycle management within the extended supply chain (ESC) for food industry. Eco-efficiency (EE) has the potential to incorporate both environmental and economic improvement by companies of ESC, and we explore the use of EE in the design process. It is noteworthy that it is an imperative in the current competitive market that companies must be able to manage their entire production chain taking into account environmental issues as an important factor in their decision-making processes. Therefore, it is believed that EE can integrate and strengthen a company’s functions and assist its decision-making processes as well as implement improvements within its ESC. In this context, it is expected that the proposed model will be able to deliver a validation process based on EE strategies as well as map environmental aspects and its impacts. In addition, the proposed model aims to consider economic aspects along the product ESC and to present elements which can help companies to promote improvements within its supply chain by considering a more environmentally friendly perspective.

Cleaner Production as a Corporate Sustainable Tool: A Study of Companies from Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil

This study aimed to assess the Cleaner Production—CP as a corporate sustainability tool, through the study of multiple case studies within companies from Rio Grande do Norte State. In order to achieve this goal our research methodology approach used the CP methodology from SEBRAE (2005) (based on CP programme of UNEP/UNIDO and applied it within the food industry (Company 1), the textile industry (Company 2) and in a car dealer (Company 3). The results highlighted (among other variables) the specific sustainability focus of any observed Cleaner Production activities. In the Company 1, raw material substitution and the optimization of water and energy usage were the main foci. In Company 2, the foci were the optimization of fabric usage and the technological modification (installation of washing equipment for the printing plates, before of this, there was not control of water usage in this process, resulting in increased water consumption and disposal of waste). Company 3 was focused on source segregation and external recycling. Thus, it was possible the implement within three companies a prevent control of significant environmental aspects, providing evidence to the incorporation of environmental issues in the corporate management process, as well as decreasing the operational risks among employees, community and environment. On the other hand, the continuity of the CP program depends on the total commitment from the top management. In addition to understanding the specific Cleaner Production foci chosen by each case company, the paper reflects on the reasons why the company may has chosen that focus, and implications for the adoption of Cleaner Production.

Life Cycle Assessment Concepts and Application in Brazil

Este artigo consiste em uma pesquisa exploratoria sobre Analise de Ciclo de Vida (ACV), uma ferramenta de gerenciamento ambiental voltada para produtos. Foram abordados aspectos do seu surgimento, conceitos, beneficios, barreiras para aplicacao, metodologia e sua utilizacao no Brasil, nas ultimas decadas. Pelos resultados, nota-se que, para essa analise ser aplicada no Brasil, e preciso que se adquira maior experiencia de seu uso. Alem disso, e fundamental que haja uma padronizacao de sua metodologia e que os estudos sobre tal analise tenham incentivos governamentais. Com isso, observa-se que a adocao da ACV representa uma mudanca estrategica importante, que pode auxiliar tanto no Sistema de Gestao Ambiental da empresa quanto no ganho de produtividade do sistema.