Abstract:
Industrial sector performs a vital role in economic
development of any country by providing different benefits
such as earning foreign exchange, creating employment
opportunities and developing regional infrastructures.
After termination of thirty years of war, Sri Lanka
achieved high GDP growth and manufacturing sector is
contributed to 32% of total GDP. Subsequent, industrial
sector growth caused detrimental environmental issues
which are generated by inappropriate manufacturing
and maintenance practices. Raw material, labor hour
and by products can be wasted during manufacturing
processes which caused financial losses to the industry.
Cleaner production concept is implemented as a technique
which can be used for reducing any wastage and undesired
conditions of manufacturing processes. It helps to maintain
high productivity, appropriate functions in industries
and high economic benefits for all stakeholders. Also,
waste reduction helps to decrease environmental impacts,
conserve limited natural resources and maintain the
sustainability. Sri Lankan manufacturing sector has a
high potential to apply cleaner production concept and
it can be apply for any type of manufacturing processes
from small scale to large scale. Sri Lanka has own cleaner
production center which facilitate for auditing and other
services with skilled resource persons. Some limitations
are accounted on applicability of cleaner production in Sri
Lankan manufacturing sector and future developments
are needed. The present study examines a comprehensive
review on (i) cleaner production concept, (ii) its potential
applications for manufacturing sector in Sri Lanka, (iii)
limitations and (iv) future perspectives for developing
this concept to achieve sustainability.
