Pollution balance: A new methodology for minimizing waste production in manufacturing processes

Abstract

A new methodology based on a generic pollution balance equation, has been developed for minimizing waste production in manufacturing processes. A 'pollution index,' defined as the mass of waste produced per unit mass of a product, has been introduced to provide a quantitative measure of waste generation in a process. A waste reduction algorithm also has been developed from the pollution balance equation. This paper explains this methodology and demonstrates the applicability of the method by a case study.