Prevention vs. End-Of-Pipe Strategy

Question 1

General aspects

Answer 1

P:
dealing with the process - at source
pollution = inefficiency (energy, waste, leakages)
planning and know you process
changing process comes with risks
eliminate bottlenecks and use housekeeping measures

EOP:
filter to capture pollutants (outputs only)
Reduce or treat, not eliminate
Not dealing with the process
Costly (increasingly) and not proactive

Question 2

Financial aspects

Answer 2

P:
Initial costs, but long-term savings
- upgrading equipment, process design, training employees

–> resource efficiency, risk mitigation - reduced accidents, fines etc.
–> market opportunities; increased sales

EOP:
lower initial costs, more costly over time
Adding filters and more resource use required (cost-drivers)
Costs increasing along with requirements, to improve more you will need more resources (investments)
The law of diminishing returns; improvements will become progressively smaller –> more investments

Question 3

Organizational aspects

Answer 3

P:
Process-integration with core processes (at source) req. collaboration across departments, training, skills development, reactive –> proactive requires long-term perspective

EOP:
solutions easier to integrate into existing operations, less employees engagement or top management engagement and training
focus on outputs, reactive - no req. of root-cause analysis
Allowing business as usual,

Question 4

Environmental

Answer 4

P:
reduction in pollution and emissions
increased resource efficiency, reduced env. risks, waste minimization, cleaner mor sustainable process

EOP:
not dealing with the source of pollution - not eliminating/preventing

relatively good at capturing and cleaning pollution, but no prevention.

no root-cause prevention.

Req. more resource use; energy intensive processes, additional materials and chemicals, waste disposal, additional steps after production

Question 5

Implementation (effort focus)

Answer 5

P:
beyond compliance leadership
EMS (long-term goals, continual improvements - systematic and structured)
Needs and expectations of stakeholders
Policies, differentiation strategies, financial incentives (e.g. tax benefits or grants for green tech), market opportunities

EOL:
compliance obligations, short-term saving opportunities, no risk with not changing the process, direct effect measures, lack of competence and awareness, business culture and brand
limited financial resources