Waste
Minimisation Circle is conceptualized on the lines of Quality
Circles (QC's) with the difference that in QC's the group is from
within the Industry where as WMC's are intended to be among the
industries.
A Waste Minimisation Circle thus can be defined
as "A small group of entrepreneurs in the small
scale sector whose units manufacture similar products and employ the
same processes meeting periodically and regularly in the premises of
each member unit one after another, to analyse the operation of the
host unit to identity sources of waste generation and implement WM
options leading to an increase in individual profitability and
reduction in pollution load from the units."10.
Why WMC approach ?The WMC approach in
promoting Waste Minimisation in SMEs is appropriate and sound
because.To
· WMC can generate a spirit of
co-operation among its members even beyond WM
· Members of
WMCs after achieving success could generate multiplier effect
·
The WMC approach focusing on self help catalysed by the facilitator
is a movement independent of regulatory pressures
· WM
Options (WMOs) adoption, acceptance and implementation of can be
ensured when WMOs are identified by entrepreneurs
· It
ensures a greater reach within the country by utilising services of
consultants located at different places in the country.
11.
How do you compare Quality Circles (QC's) with WMC's ?
| QUALITY
CIRCLES |
WASTE
MINIMISATION CIRCLES |
Developing
innovative IDEAS and applying to the industrial processes for
improving quality and ensuring better ergonomics in the work
environment |
Developing
innovative IDEAS towards identifying Waste Minimisation Options
and implementing WM Solutions for achieving economic and
environmental benefits through collective efforts |
Scenario
:
- Within a given industry and applied on Shop floor level
- Employees who carry out tasks / operations in a section of the
industry in same familiar surroundings
- Ideas are
generated by brainstorming, each employee contributing his
knowledge, experience and creativity to evolve solutions
-
Commitment of the employees |
Scenario
:
- Among group of Small and Medium Scale units ( 5-6 Nos )
at Cluster of industries level involving units with similar
processes and products
- Entrepreneurs / WM Teams focussing
on varying versions of similar enterprises (i.e. member units)
-
Ideas are generated by participants observing unique features in
member units and developing innovative ideas by brainstorming /
cross fertilisation of experiences gained
- Commitment
of the Member Units |
To realize benefits of Waste Minimisation
Concept and achieve conservation of resources and environmental
improvement by way of adoption of group efforts at industrial
cluster level.
13.
How is the objective planned to be achieved?1
By building capacity on 'Waste Minimisation Assessment' applications
through training of WMC Facilitators
2 By creating
awareness and disseminating information on Waste Minimisation to
Small and Medium Enterprises
3 By providing a structured
methodology for systematic application of Waste Minimisation
concept.
4 By creating a platform for discussions and for
sharing experiences, views, knowledge and innovations in
implementation of WM Techniquese.
5 By enabling
dissemination of information through WMC News letter
14.
How WMC's Function?The WMC's progress
hinges on two factors. 1) Establishment of WMC by careful selection
of sector and WMC members. 2) Running of WMC by guiding the
meetings, coordinating the WM activities, liasioning with nodal
agency, advising on sources of information and resources etc. The
methodology of WMC's function are hence outlined in the form of two
process diagrams below.
Figure 1.0 : Methodology for
Establishment of WMC
15.
What is the role of the WMC project participants ?
The World Bank |
· Funding of
the Project |
MoEF |
· Project
Sponsoring and Providing Guidelines |
Project Monitoring
Committee |
· Project
Monitoring / Evaluation and providing guidance. |
NPC |
· Project
Implementation |
NPC |
· Identificatio
of cluster of industries |
NPC |
·
Identification of opinion leaders/resource persons |
NPC |
·
Identification of sector specific technical experts |
NPC/WMC
Facilitator |
· Organising
awareness workshop |
WMC
Facilitator/WMC Member units |
· Establishment
and Running of WMCs Formation of circle from interested units |
WMC Facilitators |
· Organising
training workshop |
WMC Facilitators |
·
Facilitating circle meetings |
WMC Member Units |
· Participating
in circle meetings & discussions, implementing WM options |
|
16.
What is the structure of the WMC project ?
Project
Organisation and Communication Channels
17.
Who can be a WMC Facilitator ?
Institutions
(E.g: Sectoral / Research institutions / Scientific bodies), Public
/ Private Environmental / Management Consultancy Organisations,
Industrial Associations etc., who can offer initiative and a high
degree of result oriented efforts to the project and who fulfil the
criteria mentioned below can become a WMC Facilitator organisation.
S
No |
Criteria |
Weightage
(Percentage) |
1. |
Type of
Organisation (Research /Academic / Consultancy) |
10 |
2. |
Management's
Commitment |
15 |
| 3. |
Experience in
Environmental Issues |
15 |
4. |
Linkages with
Industry and Industrial Associations |
15 |
5. |
Available Manpower
and their Qualification |
10 |
6. |
Area of Expertise |
10 |
7. |
Available
infrastructure |
15 |
Criteria for Individuals
wishing to become WMC Facilitators :
S
No |
Criteria |
Weightage
(Percentage) |
1. |
Industrial
Experience |
15 |
2. |
Experience in
Environment related field |
15 |
3. |
Nature of job
(Consultancy / Academic) |
10 |
4. |
Available
infrastructure |
15 |
5. |
Leadership and
Managerial capability |
10 |
6. |
Communication
Skills |
10 |
7. |
Level of
Commitment |
10 |
18.
What are the issues/dilemmas faced by WMC Facilitators in
establishing a circle-Certificate
of identity as facilitator
- Introductory letter as trained
facilitators
- Members expect full technical solutions
-
Members expect support in terms of clearance from Govt. agencies
-
Suspicion about misuse of data
- Non co-operation of members
even after forming WMC
19.
What are the barriers encountered by WMC facilitators in running a
Circle?
-"Not Me First" syndrome
-Fear
of Competition
-Fear of losing monopoly
-Fear of misuse of
information
-Fear of being exposed
-Sceptical about benefits
of WMC
20.
Who can form Waste Minimisation Circles ?
-
Small and Medium Scale Enterprises
- Industries falling under
Environmentally critical industrial sector
- Industries willing
to share information and participate actively in group efforts
towards evolving innovative ideas and solutions to effect Waste
Minimisation in participating member units within their WMC
-
Industries keen on achieving economic and environmental benefits
21.Who
will fund the establishment and running of WMC's ?
Ministry
of Environment and Forests, New Delhi is funding this project.
22.
What will the WMC Facilitators gain out of this project ?
Besides
tangible benefits in terms of Professional Charges other intangible
benefits that a facilitator will gain are:
- · Receiving
Training on WM Assessment Methodology / Techniques
- ·
Introduction to a large variety of case studies
- ·
Developing professional Linkages with National and International
Agencies
- · Strengthening relations with Industries /
Industry Associations
- · Gaining insights on existing
industrial processes and applications of best practices
- ·
Experience in Environmental Auditing and Benchmarking
- ·
Opening up new market opportunities in consultancy services.
23.
What will WMC member units gain by Participating in WMC project ?
-
Improved productivity and increased profits
- Improved Quality
of Products
- Conservation of valuable Resources (Energy / Water
/ Raw Materials etc.)
- Progress towards achieving / complying
with Emission Norms for Pollution Control
- Reduced Cost of
Effluent Treatment / Pollution Control
- Improved Occupational
Health and Safety standards
- Match Export Market Requirements
- Improved Documentation / Record keeping / Accounting system
-
Developing Benchmarks for comparison with industry leaders
-
Improved Work Environment / Ergonomics
- Enhanced Public Image
of the Enterprise
24.
Is the concept tried any where so far, if yes, where and in which
sectors ?
Yes!
The
concept is tried in two phases. Phase-I is tried as an experimental
phase with 15 WMC's established in different sectors in various
towns and cities
Having achieved success in the first
phase the second phase was initiated with plan to establish 100
WMC's. Till now 45 No. of Waste Minimisation Circles are established
covering 180+ number of industries in 29 cities and towns covering
23 industrial sectors. The sectors and places where WMC's are
established are given below:
1. |
Khandsari
- Bijnore, |
13. |
Pulp
& Paper - Muzaffarnagar, Chandigarh, Modi Nagar, Rajahmundry |
2. |
Refractories
- Muzaffarnagar |
14. |
Dye
and Dye Intermediates - Ahmedabad |
3. |
Foundry
and metal forging industries - Belgaum , Delhi |
15. |
Electroplating
- Ludhiana, Cuttack, |
4. |
Hotels
- Mumbai , Shimla, Bhopal |
16. |
Distillery
- Akluj |
5. |
Textiles
processing and printing ( Cotton, synthetics etc) - Ludhiana,
Tripur, Surat, Faridabad |
17 |
Dairy
- Calcutta |
6. |
Paints
- Vadodara |
18. |
Resins
- Vadodara |
7. |
Bulk
Drug - |
19. |
Marble
& Slurry - Udaipur |
8. |
Rice
Mills (Raw rice & Parboiled Rice) - Nizamabad |
20. |
Steel
Rolling Mills - Ahmedabad |
9. |
Pesticide
Formulation - Ahemdabad |
21. |
Printed
Circuit Board - Ahmedabad |
10. |
Lead
Acid Battery Manufacturing - Bangalore |
22. |
Edible
Oil - Virudhunagar, Chitradurga |
11. |
Ply
Board manufacturing - Dehradun |
23. |
Engineering
sector - Bhilai |
12. |
Utensils
manufacturing |
|
|
|
(Aluminium,
Brass and Stainless Steel) etc.- Jagadhri |
|
|
|
|
|
|
25.What
are the results achieved so far ?
Together
the 45 WMC's generated 300+ Waste Minimisation Options(WMOs) out of
which 120+ options were implemented achieving an aggregate savings
of Rs.100 Lakhs/annum. For details on achievements in individual
WMC's see the section on achievements
26
DO'S AND DONTS FOR WMC MEMBERS
DO'S
Free
and informal atmosphere should be maintained
WMC members should
have harmony and respect for each other
Experimentations/ trials
should be encouraged
Credit should be given liberally
WM
Methodology should be followed
Be the principal listener
Proper
documentation of activities should be done
DON'T'S
Direct
financial assistance not to be expected
Ready made technical
solutions should not be looked for
Don't allow snubbing
Don't
impose ideas on groups
Don't demotivate be pointing mistakes
Conserve
Resources (Energy / Water / Raw Materials etc.)
