ABSTRACT
Many facets of manufacturing operations have important implications for the state of the natural environment. Design of the product, selection of raw materials, operation of the manufacturing process, delivery of the product or service and availability of re-use or recycling options for spent products all have ramifications for the rate and level of environmental degradation. For OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) economies, manufacturing accounts for 40% of sulphur dioxide emissions (the precursor of acid rain), 60% of water pollution, 75% of non-hazardous waste and 90% of hazardous waste (OECD 1995). As a result, research spanning the engineering, natural sciences, public policy, economics and business literature has proposed various strategies, approaches and actions to improve the environmental performance of manufacturing.
