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UPDATE
makes New Year's resolution.
Here at UPDATE, we�ve made a resolution for 1999: we�ll increase our
focus on upcoming events in an effort to help US-AEP�s many partners and
friends connect and work together. We�ll also continue to provide stories on
the program�s successes. Remember to keep UPDATE in mind throughout the
year: With an ever-increasing readership now totaling several hundred, we
can help you spread the word about your plans and achievements. (You�ll find
contact information at the end of the newsletter.)
What better way to kick off the New Year than to share a couple of
stories that support one of US-AEP�s core beliefs: that care of the
environment and economic gain go hand-in-hand. All the best for a greener
1999 in Asia--and the world over!
Greening of
Philippines' iron and steel industry shows profit.
Despite the financial crisis, iron and steel companies in the Philippines
are reaping economic gains by reducing the environmental impact of their
production processes. For example, after the Filipino Pipe and Foundry
Corporation (FPFC) implemented a waste reduction program in 1994, its waste
output dropped by 109 tons annually. By using fewer resources to produce its
products, FPFC is saving almost $1.2 million annually. The National Steel
Corporation (NSC) used a different approach: It is now regenerating and
reusing 90 to 95 percent of its waste. Iron oxide, a byproduct of the
regeneration process, is sold by the firm at $100 per ton, according to Fred
Nonsada, NSC senior manager. These efforts were supported by US-AEP through
the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Environmental Improvement
Project, which helped the companies identify appropriate pollution
prevention methods.
U.S.
wastewater treatment pilot opens doors to India's textile industry.
Tirupur, a city in Tamil Nadu, India, produces more than $500 million of
India�s textile exports. Unfortunately, effluents from hundreds of dyeing
units have extensively polluted the nearby Noyyal River as well as
groundwater resources. Technical Research Group, Inc. (TRG), an
Illinois-based company, recognized the business opportunity presented by
this environmental problem. With the help of US-AEP�s Technology
Representative in Chennai, S. Subramanian, TRG entered a partnership with
Indian company Team Hi-Tech to showcase the U.S. company�s unique wastewater
treatment technology. At Arora Fashions Ltd. (AFL), a 100-percent
export-oriented fabric manufacturer in Tirupur, TRG and Team Hi-Tech
installed a pilot project that provided all necessary equipment (partly
imported from the U.S.) to process a minimum of 2,000 liters of wastewater
per day.
In a recent follow-up visit, Mr. Subramanian learned that the project has
been highly successful. Mr. L.V. Ramesh, general manager of AFL, confirmed
that TRG�s technology is producing clear water out of colored dyebath
solution and has enabled AFL to recycle water at least six times throughout
the dyeing process. AFL is saving money, since it now purchases less water
for production. The success of this project is expected to increase
opportunities in India for TRG and other capable U.S. firms.
Study tour
helps Asians prepare for ADB air quality loan opportunities.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) recently approved a $71 million Metro
Manila Air Quality Sector Development Program Loan, which supports public
sector investments in traffic engineering and management, air quality
monitoring facilities and training, and other emission-reduction strategies
in Manila, Philippines. In response to the approval of this loan--and in
anticipation of ADB�s plan to consider a similar loan approach for other
Asian cities--US-AEP�s Environmental Exchange Program arranged a November
29-December 11 study tour for 12 high-level government officials and
industry experts from the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, and Hong Kong.
The exchange focused on facilitating development of industrial air emissions
management plans for Asian mega-cities, as well as providing U.S. companies
with technology transfer opportunities linked to the ADB loan. Activities
included meetings with U.S. air pollution control firms; site visits to
facilities in Los Angeles, California, and New Orleans, Louisiana; and
presentations by state and local government agencies. (Note: The
Environmental Exchange Program is implemented by the Institute of
International Education.)
GIN
conference presentation proposals due February 1.
Proposals for presentations are being accepted for the eighth
International Conference of the Greening of Industry Network (GIN),
scheduled for November 14-17, 1999. Focusing on "Sustainability: Ways of
Knowing/Ways of Acting," the conference will be hosted by the Kenan-Flagler
Business School at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.
Proposals are due by February 1, 1999. More information is available on the
website, http://greening99.bschool.unc.edu.
Pollution
prevention activities abound in 1999.
The new year looks to be a busy one for the National Pollution Prevention
Roundtable (NPPR), a US-AEP partner organization. Among other new
initiatives, NPPR will present its first-ever international award for
innovation in pollution prevention in 1999--the Most Valuable Pollution
Prevention (MVP2) award. Here�s a look at a few of NPPR�s other upcoming
events:
April
- NPPR�s Spring Conference, Washington, D.C.
- 2nd Asia Pacific Roundtable on Cleaner Production, Brisbane, Australia
July
- Tentative date for conference to launch roundtable in Malaysia
Early - mid year (dates to be determined)
- Kickoff roundtable conference in Thailand
- First conference of India�s Eastern Region Roundtable
December
- Taiwan�s established roundtable organization participates in the
Conference on Industrial Waste Minimization and Sustainable Development,
Taipei
For more information, contact NPPR�s International Coordinator Joe
Pringle via phone (202-466-7272), fax (202-466-7964), or
e-mail. |
