Cement Energy and Environment

·- PORTABLE RESTROOMS A RAY OF HOPE A ray of hope is round the corner in the form of eco-tech smart green toilets, which are designed in such a way that they require minimum manual interference. They have automatic cleaning and flush system due to which they are kept in a clean and a hygienic condition. Moreover, they do not require extensive monitoring for maintenance and due to their automatic cleaning system, they are free from infections. Each day brings new technologies to support modern living. The world today offers innumerable options. Whether it is cars , mobiles, white goods or any other consumables, there is plenty of supply and innumerable choices. But do we have an option when it comes to the air that we breathe? The world is choking and now asking for radical solutions. Climate change has become a global issue and countries are deliberating to work on a coordinated programme to reduce greenhouse emissions. The Paris Agreement is asking for restricting global warming to 1.5 degrees for the second half of 21st centu ry. This would need a near zero emission between 2030 and 2050. India is rich in its mineral resource. In pursuit of growing its industrialization and cope up with consumption, these resources were opened for mining and production of virgin ores. However, we cannot allow our mineral wealth to be exploited and be robbed of, endangering our ecosystem. The recycled metal products ensure that these resources remain safe whilst we convert the old, and redundant into new products. Not only this is a cost effective method but is also causing least burden to the environment. Today about 100% of stainless steel produced in the country uses scrap as raw material feed. The output of secondary aluminum nearly matches primary production. The metals recycling industry in India has been in existence over last 70 years but this activity is fragmentized and scattered, comprising of small collectors to big smelters. NUTS AND BOLTS INDUSTRY The recycled metal is used to manufacture nuts and bolts in a big way. Many of the car manufacturers and aviation companies use such products for their new products. Boeing, too, sources nut and bolts required for its aircrafts from India. As an industry, it cuts into every strata of Indian society -being one of the largest recruiters. It is interesting to take a look at USA and a nation from BRIGS Brazil viz-a-viz India. USA is a net exporter of scrap with recycling rates of 80- 90%.Europe has recycling rates in excess of 70%. Brazil has highest used beverage cans recycling rate in the world around 98.5% which results in power savings of 3.870 GWh. In India recycling rate is a dismal 20-25%. So what sets them and us apart? The developed nations follow an industrial cluster model, where collections centers, scrap processors, end customers and logistical support are in close proximity and integrated under one roof. "A comprehensive recycling policy that addresses our current challenges is need of the hour. Whilst a large part of the world has removed all duty barriers on import of scraps, India still has a duty ranging from 2.5, to 5%," says Sanjay Mehta, president of MRAL Courtesy: The Economic Times, 09.12.2016, pg. no. 8 Waste to Wealth & Waste Recycling CREATING A LESS WASTEFUL ECONOMY The current human footprint exceeds the earth's bio-capacity by more than 50 per cent. Humankind has exceeded the planetary boundaries for biodiversity loss, climate change and many other vital parameters. Mainstreaming the norms of "circular economy''- a conceptual value-preserving model -can help transit towards a sustainable future where instead of extraction of natural resources, as in most linear industrial models, resources are reintegrated , regenerated and reutilized . Drawing upon principles from approaches such as cradle-to-cradle and biomimicry, the 'circular economy' emphasizes eliminating the concept of waste, and the use of renewable energy and systems thinking. Through the design of products consisting of biological materials or recyclable constituents, every component of a product can either be looped into its natural cycle or used as a resource for new products. Today, recycling activities in India are dominated by the informal sector and recycling quotas are not yet fully exploited. Secondary raw material usage in the manufacturing industries remains low (20-30 per cent) and much needs to be done in closing the material loop. 59