Identifying environmental and economic benefits of cleaner production in a manufacturing company: a case study of a paper and pulp manufacturing company in KwaZulu-Natal

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how companies could improve their environmental performance by adopting cleaner production technologies (CPT) and techniques. The methodology used in this research was a case study. This study involved both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The study was based on the steam production process using coal-fired boilers in a paper manufacturing company in KwaZulu-Natal. The study found that the company would save on input resources and reduce the amount of waste generated by adopting CPT. Environmental management accounting (EMA) supports CP strategies by effectively providing information for the optimization of products and production systems.