Title: Generation and management of industrial waste in Small and Medium sized Enterprises

Authors: D. Hidalgo, R. Irusta, J. Fermoso

Addresses: Environmental Division, CARTIF Foundation, Boecillo Technology Park, 205 – 47151 Boecillo, Valladolid, Spain. ' Environmental Division, CARTIF Foundation, Boecillo Technology Park, 205 – 47151 Boecillo, Valladolid, Spain. ' Environmental Division, CARTIF Foundation, Boecillo Technology Park, 205 – 47151 Boecillo, Valladolid, Spain

Abstract: This paper contains the results from the study and analysis of 100 Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) located in the Region of Castile and Leon (Spain), regarding generation, management, valorisation, treatment and final disposal of their waste. This study is an attempt to analyse the problems caused by industrial waste. To do so, an environmental survey was carried out on a random and stratified sample of companies. The results show a lack of knowledge about the current environmental legislation relating to small companies; in consequence very few of them fulfill all waste management regulations.

Keywords: industrial waste; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; waste generation; waste management; waste minimisation; waste valorisation; Spain; environmental legislation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETM.2008.017505

International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management, 2008 Vol.8 No.4, pp.323 - 338

Published online: 13 Mar 2008 *

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