Overcoming Barriers to the Implementation of Cleaner Production in Small Enterprises in the Mechanics Industry: Exploring Economic Gains and Contributions for Sustainable Development Goals

Geraldo Cardoso de Oliveira Neto, Roberto Rodrigues Leite, Wagner Cezar Lucato, Rosangela Maria Vanalle, Marlene Amorim (), João Carlos Oliveira Matias and Vikas Kumar
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Geraldo Cardoso de Oliveira Neto: Industrial Engineering Post-Graduation Program, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), Sao Paulo 01504-001, Brazil
Roberto Rodrigues Leite: Industrial Engineering Post-Graduation Program, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), Sao Paulo 01504-001, Brazil
Wagner Cezar Lucato: Industrial Engineering Post-Graduation Program, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), Sao Paulo 01504-001, Brazil
Rosangela Maria Vanalle: Industrial Engineering Post-Graduation Program, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), Sao Paulo 01504-001, Brazil
João Carlos Oliveira Matias: GOVCOPP, Unidade de Investigação em Governança, Competitividade e Políticas Públicas, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Vikas Kumar: Bristol Business School, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 5, 1-14

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the economic and environmental gains that result from the implementation of cleaner production in a small enterprise (SE) from the metal and mechanics industry, allowing for overcoming barriers and contributing to sustainable development goals. The research work builds on a case study that involved several data sources, including semi structured interviewing and non-participant observation. Data analysis involved the calculation of mass balance, building solid and liquid waste that were minimized in the process. The results suggest that cleaner production led to economic gains, by allowing for reduction in losses and promoting a better use of raw materials. It also led to environmental improvements by means of the implementation of a wastewater treatment station that allowed for the reuse of water in the manufacturing process. It was concluded that the economic gain in the project played a determinant role for the SE to overcome the barriers for the implementation of CP and leading to the reduction of the environmental impact in the abiotic, biotic, water and air compartments, as estimated with the Mass Intensity Factor. The study offers a timely and relevant contribution for the literature in the field, while offering insights for o managerial practice, and the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals defined by the United Nations Development Program.

Keywords: economy and environmental advantage; cleaner production barriers; cleaner production; metal mechanics industry; sustainable development goals (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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