Economic, environmental and social impacts for the implementation of cleaner production in the citrus international s.a management system

Abstract

The present work shows the environmental, economic and social impacts for the Cleaner Production tools application in the Environmental Management System at the CITRUS INTERNATIONAL S.A industry. This work was done by a multidisciplinary team conformed by specialists of this industry and the Research Institute on Tropical Fruits. It was carried out an environmental diagnostic for each area and it was done an analysis of main problems with liquid, solids wastes and gas emissions. It was taken organizational, good production practices, changes technologies and investment measures and it was executed in two production campaigns. The economic saving was of 661 273 USD and decreased the industrial waste pollution load in terms of CDO from 10665 to 4845 mg./ l. From the social point of view this strategy has also allowed to elevate the cultural level for the participation of technicians and management personals trough seminars, workshops and events and it has increased experience exchanges and know how among the technicians with other citrus processing plants. It is recommended to apply this strategy to other industrial prioritized sectors for the benefits that it reports for the sustainable development in the country.