ABSTRACT
SUMMARY: Concerns about environmental problems became evident in the mid-twentieth century, as a consequence of pollution brought about by rapid industrial development. In order to combat this problem, industries initially opted to install equipment at the end of the production process. The latter; however, was expensive, thus increasing the end-cost of the products. More recently, companies have started adopting measures to prevent pollution from the beginning of the manufacturing processes. This chapter describes the main tools used to prevent environmental pollution; development of preventive monitoring programs using early-warning signals, the design and application of clean technologies, the formation of a pro-environmental education in citizens, the evaluation of costs and values of natural resources, as well as ascribing costs to pollution, and the use of Environmental Management as a business strategy for the best exploitation of resources and a minimal generation of wastes.
