Implementation of an environmental management system: case study

Abstract

In the current scenario, Brazil is ranked as the 5th largest textile producer in the world, behind only China, India, the United States and Pakistan. This factor is of great importance in relation to the effective number of jobs provided by the sector around its manufacturing hubs. On the other hand, the high production rate that companies are exhibiting ends up using a large amount of the country's natural resources. In the case of clothing industries, their waste can cause significant environmental impacts, however, through the use of Environmental Management is possible to reduce environmental degradation and pollution. In this way, the present study made use of the application of the Environmental Management System (EMS) linked to the Cleaner Production methodology to resolve environmental problems in a clothing factory located in the northwest of the state of Paraná. After the implementation of the EMS, important environmental and social gains were noted, such as the disposal of wastepaper, cardboard, plastic, and paint cans used in screen printing for an Association of collectors in the city and the use of fabric scraps in making products for pet shops, waste destined for a group of women artisans also in the city. The study also promoted the reduction of waste from larger clothing scraps, by using them to make by-products that could be sold at popular prices. Thus, the effectiveness of implementing the EMS for the company can be seen, making it comply with its environmental policy and adding social gains to it.