Waste management study in foundry sector using industrial ecology tools
Student name: Ms Yashica Dua
Guide: Ms Nimish Jha
Year of completion: 2014
Host Organisation: Foundation for MSME Clusters (FMC), New Delhi
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Ms Sangeeta Agasty
Abstract: Waste management and cleaner production are the two ideas which when applied on
the industries results in economic and environmental sustainable development. The
report focuses on waste management in Foundries. Foundry industry is known as
mother of all industries as it manufactures machines and tools for all other sectors. It
is listed under Red category by MoEF, Government of India, giving it the reputation of
highly polluting industry. The main aim of the report is to estimate and characterize
the amount of waste generated in a sample foundry cluster and then to device options
on how to implement better waste management practices focusing mainly on reuse and
reutilization options in the study , it re-utilizes the potential of waste materials to be
used in other sectors. The study focuses on Industrial ecology tools such as Material
flow analysis, Environment Impact analysis and SWOT analysis to estimate and
analyze the waste generation practices in foundries. Certain suggestions have been
devised in the end for both government and individual industry owners focusing
mainly on setting up of waste utilization programs and options for sustainable
practices. Waste is becoming an increasingly traded product, where excellent profits
can be made. Due to the cost reduction and successful business operation in
companies, waste has to be regenerated and used again as a material to the maximum
possible extent. From the sustainable development point of view, waste management is
most suitable of all practices, since it ensures the material utilization of wastes
reduces the consumption of natural renewable or non-renewable resources and makes
efficient production capacity utilization possible. Sand, dust, slag and other mineral
waste from foundries are increasingly being used as materials in other industries.
Thus the potential reuse options for foundry waste have also been suggested in the
report.
Key Words: Foundries, Waste management, Industrial Ecology, Policies, Slag and
sand
