Page 26 - ie2 August 2019

TECH FRONTIERS

floating in the ocean, whereas much issue. In this context strengthening the siveness towards modernisation needs
more are deposited and accumulated policies related to marine pollution, to be reflected upon, with recognition
in bottom sediments. They bring toxic capacity building of local and national that technology costs can be a deterrent,
chemicals to organisms such as fish and bodies, development of marine research and that governmental initiatives and
shellfish, causing concern about food se- and development activities, and raising support can enable and assist SMEs to-
curity. Disposal of micro-plastics to the awareness can be critical. wards green industrial development.
ocean has major impacts on the marine In order to green SMEs, a concept of
ecosystem as these materials are ingest- Greening of small manufacturing GLEAN (Green Lean) which is a combi-
ed by marine organisms causing severe enterprises (SMEs) nation of Material Flow Cost Account-
food security issues. Greening of SMEs is important to ing (MFCA) and LEAN management,
There is a need to consider a wide achieve decoupling economic progress developed by NPC could be put into
spectrum of 3R options as part of circu- vis-à-vis resource consumption, lead- practice. The application of MFCA in
lar economy to reduce the generation of ing to circular economy. It is indicated production has been demonstrated in
plastic wastes. Among them, reduction that SMEs are the major contributors SMEs and the implication of adopt-
of production of unnecessary single-use worldwide to industrial activity as part ing MFCA with LEAN is that it clearly
plastics could be helpful, considering of supply chains and that significant leads to higher process efficiency and
long-term environmental impacts. pollution is also generated by SMEs. A reduction/elimination of waste. The
Indian stakeholders can learn from perspective on resource efficient clean- fundamental strategy behind imple-
global initiatives such as Clean Seas er production (RECP) initiative and the menting MFCA with LEAN is the eval-
Campaign and North West Plastic Ac- challenges faced in effecting behavioural uation of the operations and activities
tion Plan (NOWPAP) for solving the change in SMEs and obtaining respon- in terms of efficiencies. Since MFCA
is a management accounting method,
it does not automatically resolve this
loss. In fact, it is necessary to clarify the
THERE IS A NEED TO CONSIDER A WIDE SPECTRUM cause of the loss occurring in each pro-
OF 3R OPTIONS AS PART OF CIRCULAR ECONOMY TO cess and change the design, materials/
parts, manufacturing method, process-
REDUCE THE GENERATION OF PLASTIC WASTES. ing, equipment, etc, and to eliminate

AMONG THEM, REDUCTION OF PRODUCTION OF the cause, for which PDCA (Plan, Do,
Check, and Act) approach of LEAN
UNNECESSARY SINGLE-USE PLASTICS COULD BE principles when clubbed with MFCA
HELPFUL, CONSIDERING LONG-TERM ENVIRONMENTAL fits well in the framework and delivers
sustainable outcomes to help SMEs to
IMPACTS achieve resource efficiency.

CAPTURING THE BENEFITS OF CIRCULAR ECONOMY

HE circular economy is a new way es stand to realise substantial profit from • Collaborate with other businesses, poli-
of creating value, and ultimately the circular economy opportunities. Five cymakers, and the informal economy.
Tprosperity. It works by extending recommendations could guide companies • Invest in circular economy opportunities.
product lifespan through improved design seeking to capture this value.
and servicing, and relocating waste from • Build circular economy knowledge and Profit opportunities for businesses
the end of the supply chain to the begin- capacity. through increasing innovation and de-
ning – in effect, using resources more ef- • Innovate to create new products and mand for new business services: By apply-
ficiently by using them over and over and business models and demonstrate their ing circular economy principles, business-
only once. success. es could generate new ideas and explore
Indian businesses are well placed to • Integrate circular economy principles new ways of working, especially in digital
lead the way in the transition. Business- into strategy and processes. technology. Indian innovation hubs could

26 l INDIAN ENGINEERING EXPORTS l AUGUST 2019