For the development of a country and the prosperity of its people, industry is essential. Unfortunately, our technology choices have turned out to be wasteful because decisions are based on short term and narrow goals of the enterprise rather than a holistic view of the full range of consequences from the use of a technology.
Adverse Environmental Effects of Industry:
The total global flow of materials is around 500 billion tons a year. Only 6% actually ends up in consumer products whereas much of the virgin materials are being returned to the environment in the form of harmful solid, liquid, and gaseous wastes some of the adverse effects of industrial practices are summarized below:
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(i) Industrial practices release enormous quantities of air and water pollutants.
(ii) They generate huge amounts of hazardous wastes.
(iii) Industrial effluents have polluted many lakes, rivers, and coastal environments.
(iv) Industrial accidents, such as Bhopal gas tragedy, often have tragic environmental consequences.
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Approaches for Minimizing Harmful Effects of Industry on Environment :
The approaches for minimizing adverse effects of industrial practices on environment are outlined below:
(i) Pollution prevention:
Try to create less of the pollutant or waste or eliminate it.
(ii) Recycling and reuse:
They not only reduce pollution, but they also conserve natural resources.
(iii) Treatment:
It is used to reduce the volume or toxicity of the waste.
(iv) Disposal:
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Responsible disposal as per the law by both industries and municipalities should be done.