Application of industrial ecology principles in the furniture Goiás companies

ABSTRACT:

The furniture industry employs as raw material inputs that come from renewable resources such as wood, natural fibers, leather and also non-renewable materials such as metals, glass, polymers and chemicals. All these inputs are directly related to a major post-production waste generation by the industries that may cause soil and water sources contamination and generate air pollutants. The technologies end-of-pipe are no longer sufficient to evolve toward sustainability and an efficient proactive stance is needed like the environment integration throughout the product development process, one of the Industrial Ecology's role. This paper attempts to trace the panorama about the environmental issue in the furniture industry, especially about the use of raw materials and the waste disposal during production, and above all, analyzing its destination. Based on environmental concepts of Eco-Efficiency, Ecodesign and Environmental Management System, a literature review held in order to analyze the most relevant strategies and tools of industrial processes, supporting a quantitative research about the furniture production market of the State of Goiás. The evaluation of the research shows that the practice of Industrial Ecology are poorly employed inside the industries studied. Do not follow the applicable law strictly highlighting the lack of information about the influence that their activity can cause to the environment and about the actions that can be implemented aiming the integration of industries and nature on behalf of sustainability.

Keywords:
furniture industry; industrial waste; environmental aspects