Oil ad gas refineries are often blamed for the rising pollution levels. This blame isn't completely untrue given the emissions that are reported to be made by them. Citizens have become more conscious about environmental factors of late and are increasingly keeping tabs on companies that are not adopting eco-friendly methods for their production. This is a wake-up call for companies and refineries that disregard environmental norms and a breath of fresh air for those who fight to save the environment and for stricter environmental laws.

With threats like global warming, greenhouse gases, and ozone depletion staring at our degrading environment, it is only obvious that these industries will soon have to turn to environment-friendly options. Practices like sustainable development, emergence of clean energy and compliance related to environmental safety can be harnessed to ensure that development takes place without causing harm to the quality of the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat.

As more and more industries adopt measures for smoother functioning of their technology and make innovation in products, we can expect the future to get better. From making the smallest important changes like replacing iron pipe fittings with alloy steel pipe fitting, to something as hi-tech as replacing coal combustion with tapping solar, wind and hydro power for the production of electricity, it seems like we're on the right path when it comes to conservation of nature.

We realize that making quick changes in large scale industries will be difficult and will probably even take a long time, but if you're a small or a medium enterprise (and especially an upcoming one), you can go green now and continue to do so in future as well, thereby sparing our environment that much torture. In this post, we would be presenting some ideas on how you can grow your business with minimal damage to the environment (if not keeping it completely damage free). Read on to know more.

Adherence to Environmental Laws
Ensuring that your business pays strict adherence to environmental laws is a good start if you want to build your business on an eco-friendly note. This could mean slightly higher expenses for production, but if you come to think of it, a healthy environment is much more precious than any money made by processes that degrade it. Remember, to be able to make money, you need to live in a healthy environment. No ecology would eventually result in no profits at all. 

Location of the Industry
Any industrialist would definitely put in a lot of thought before zeroing in on the perfect location to start his industry. This is because a lot of costs can be saved and profits can be upped just by getting the location strategically right. As a precautionary measure, the local town planning authorities of a particular zone/area need to ensure that the location of any industrial establishment is at a safe proximity from residential establishments in the same zone so as to minimize the effects of polution generated on the people inhabiting the same area. Local town planning authorities could do so by either imposing restrictions on rule breakers, granting concessions to those businesses who pick their location in keeping with the norms and development of separate industrial townships.

Industrial Waste Treatment
Disposing off industrial waste in a proper manner should be made one of the top priorities of the business. Effective treatment of industrial effluents and emissions would result not only in a cleaner environment, but ideally, also in the recovery of certain useful substances from the waste. This should work as an impetus for setting up a waste treatment plant instead of discharging it in the sewage system or dumping it in other water bodies or even on land.

However, this is possible only with the combined and sincere efforts of the business leaders and the drainage authorities toward resolving to coming up with a disposal system that provides a solution that is environment friendly and cost effective.

Low Sulfur Fuel
Using low sulfur fuel is the easiest way of reducing air emissions. Hence, industries should ensure that they use fuel with lower sulfur content. The costs related to making this change are much lower than the typical price variations of fuels in the global market. Hence, it is not only cost-effective, but also healthy. In fact, the benefits achieved from using low sulfur fuels far outweigh the costs incurred in switching to it. 

Turning to Clean Energy
Instead of burning coal and fossil fuels and expanding nuclear power, industries need to come up with alternative and renewable sources of energy for their production. As the nuclear power industry is still grappling with pressing concerns related to safety, non-proliferation and high costs, it doesn't make sense to encourage its growing usage as it can prove to be highly risky to millions and have severe after effects for decades to come.

Environmental laws related to carbon emissions need to be taken seriously by industries. This is not only a safer option but also a cost effective one.

In Conclusion
The need of the hour is a serious and strict approach to dealing with environmental safety issues and industries flouting these norms. We owe this to posterity and it is our responsibility to leave a healthy and happy planet behind for them. Today, our generation faces no challenge that is as big as global warming. But just as every problem has a solution, so does this one. People in authority need to realize that monetary profits are not as important as saving the planet is. Prevention is always better than cure.