“Appropriate technology” for pollution control in corrugated board industry - the Portuguese case

An increasing number of countries can be considered as water-stressed. Portugal is facing this problem, associated with the guarantee of an adequate water supply. Increasing costs of municipal and industrial disposal for water quality protection and pollution reduction also catalyse interest in water reuse. This paper presents a case study in the corrugated board industry, where advanced strategies were followed, in order to implement a totally integrated waste management system, through the selection of the appropriate technology, avoiding environmental damage. The results obtained were the establishment of an optimal balance between the main strategy elements, evaluated on the basis of environmental load, preservation of resources and economy.